scholarly journals Physical impairments and physical therapy services for minority and low-income breast cancer survivors

SpringerPlus ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Marie Flores ◽  
Jason Nelson ◽  
Lee Sowles ◽  
Karen Bienenstock ◽  
William J. Blot
2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 171-171
Author(s):  
Stephanie B. Wheeler ◽  
Racquel Elizabeth Kohler ◽  
Ravi K. Goyal ◽  
Kristen Hassmiller Lich ◽  
Alexis Moore ◽  
...  

171 Background: Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) initiated an innovative medical home (MH) program in the 1990s to improve primary care in Medicaid-insured populations. CCNC has been successful in improving asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular outcomes, but has not been evaluated in the context of cancer care. We sought to determine whether MH enrollment was associated with guideline-concordant surveillance and follow-up care among breast cancer survivors. Methods: Using state cancer registry records matched to Medicaid claims, we identified women ages 18-64 diagnosed with stage 0, I, or II breast cancer from 2003-2007 and tracked their CCNC enrollment. Using published American Society for Clinical Oncology breast cancer survivorship guidelines to define our outcomes, we employed multivariate logistic regressions to examine correlates of receipt of surveillance mammogram and at least two physical exams within 15 months post-diagnosis. Results: In total, 840 women were included in our sample. Approximately half were enrolled in a CCNC MH during the study period, 38% were enrolled for more than 7 months post-diagnosis. Enrollment in a MH for at least 7 months post-diagnosis was strongly associated with receiving guideline-recommended surveillance mammogram (p<0.01) and at least 2 physical exams (p<0.01) within 15 months post-diagnosis. Conclusions: Results suggest that MH enrollment is associated with higher quality breast cancer survivorship care among women insured by Medicaid. Given the growing population of cancer survivors and increased emphasis on primary care MH, more research is needed to explore how medical homes can enhance and ensure the provision of guideline-recommended care during cancer survivorship.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9597-9597
Author(s):  
Victoria Susana Blinder ◽  
Sujata Patil ◽  
Francesca Gany ◽  
Rose C. Maly

9597 Background: Breast cancer may have devastating consequences on the financial stability of low-income families due to its impact on employment and limited duration of emergency Medicaid coverage. Methods: A consecutive sample of 921 low-income, uninsured/underinsured, English/Spanish-speaking women diagnosed with breast cancer through the California Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program was surveyed 6 months after diagnosis. Previously uninsured women were enrolled in MediCal. Follow-up surveys were administered at 18, 36, and 60 months. Our primary outcome was self-reported adequacy of financial resources. Trajectories of financial adequacy were compared by ethnicity and by trajectories of employment and insurance status. Results: 6 months after diagnosis, 38% said they had adequate financial resources to meet their needs, compared to 39%, 49%, and 55% at 18, 36, and 60 months, respectively. Trajectories of financial adequacy varied by ethnicity and by trajectories of employment and insurance status (Table). Of 549 who reported on financial resources in all 4 surveys the most common trajectory was inadequate resources in all surveys (n=120) followed by adequate resources in all surveys (n=83). Of 208 who had adequate resources at 6 months, 60% reported inadequate resources in ≥1 subsequent survey. Of 341 who had inadequate resources at 6 months, 87% reported inadequate resources in ≥1 subsequent survey. Conclusions: Low-income breast cancer survivors are at risk of long-term financial instability. Latinas and survivors who are not working and/or are uninsured are at highest risk. Additional research is needed to better understand the factors that impact financial recovery after treatment. [Table: see text]


Cancer ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 1664-1674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria S. Blinder ◽  
Sujata Patil ◽  
Amardeep Thind ◽  
Allison Diamant ◽  
Clifford A. Hudis ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6612-6612
Author(s):  
V. S. Blinder ◽  
S. Patil ◽  
A. Diamant ◽  
A. Thind ◽  
R. Maly

6612 Background: Return to work (RTW) after breast cancer is associated with treatment recovery and quality of life. Prior research has found an 80% RTW rate in primarily Caucasian breast cancer survivors; however, little is known about the trajectory of RTW among Latinas. Qualitative research suggests that RTW is a major concern for Latinas. This study compares the rate of RTW between Latinas and Caucasians and investigates the role of job type in RTW. Methods: This is a prospective, longitudinal study of low-income, underserved breast cancer survivors who spoke English or Spanish, did not have metastatic disease, and were enrolled in the Medi-Cal Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. We interviewed survivors at 6 mos., 18 mos., and 3 yrs. after diagnosis to assess changes in employment status. The impact of independent variables including ethnicity, employment at diagnosis, job type, age, health status, and education was assessed using chi-square tests. Results: 666 survivors completed surveys at both 6 mos. and 3 yrs; 65% were Latina. The median age was 49 and 54 yrs. for Latinas and Caucasians, respectively (p < 0.001). 45% of Latinas had less than a high-school education compared to 3% of Caucasians (p < 0.001). The majority of Latinas worked in 3 job types: personal care-provider (23%), housekeeper (22%), and manufacturing (13%). Caucasians had greater job diversity, including clerical (15%), personal care-provider (13%), food preparer/server (12%), and sales (10%). At diagnosis, 51% of Latinas and 59% of Caucasians were employed (p = 0.07), and among these, Latinas were less likely to be working at 6 and 18 mos. than Caucasians (27% vs. 47% at 6 mos., p = 0.002 and 45% vs. 59% at 18 mos., p = 0.026). This difference dissipated by yr. 3 (53% of Latinas vs. 58% of Caucasians, p = 0.41). Job type at diagnosis was associated with RTW. Conclusions: Employed low-income Latinas and Caucasians appear to follow different RTW trajectories after breast cancer, with fewer Latinas working at 6 and 18 mos. Differences exist in job type between these populations; Caucasians have greater variation in job type and a trend toward greater likelihood of changing job type after breast cancer. This may reflect limitations in career choice among low-income Latinas and may be related to their protracted RTW trajectory. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


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