Adjuvant systemic therapy, including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and trastuzumab, markedly reduces the risk of metastatic recurrence and death for selected patients with breast cancer. Guideline-concordant use of chemotherapy and optimal dose intensity are critical factors in achieving maximal benefit of treatment. Similarly, guideline-concordant prescribing and optimal patient adherence to hormonal therapy are critical factors in maximizing benefit. Variations in the quality of adjuvant therapy may account for racial, ethnic, and social disparities in disease-free and overall breast cancer survival. The underlying reasons for observed patterns and correlates of quality adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy are unknown. The purpose of this population-based study is to investigate disparities in the quality of adjuvant systemic therapy according to patient demographic and social support factors. In addition, we will investigate how the accuracy of measurement of key pathologic factors-specifically estrogen receptor (ER) status and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) status-may affect decision-making and thus disparities in the quality of systemic therapy. We propose to investigate these factors through medical record review, patient survey, and repeat assessment of ER and HER2 status on primary tumor specimens. We have already assembled one of the largest and most ethnically diverse population-based samples of patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer in the metropolitan areas of Detroit and Los Angeles. The proposed study will expand the scope of research using this population to address the quality of clinical evaluation and disparities in the quality of systemic treatment for women with breast cancer.
The Specific Aims of this study are (1) to examine patterns and correlates of quality of adjuvant chemotherapy in a population-based sample of women, (2) to examine patterns and correlates of quality of breast cancer hormonal therapy in a population-based sample of women with breast cancer, and (3) to estimate the frequency of classification error in key pathologic variables-ER and HER2 status-in a population-based sample of women with breast cancer and explore the impact of such error on receipt of optimal adjuvant systemic therapy. We propose to investigate these factors through patient interview, medical record review, and repeat assessment of pathologic variables on primary tumor specimens. The results of this study will be used to advance methods in oncology outcomes research and to inform policy and practice interventions to improve the quality of breast cancer care in the United States. Public Health Relevance: The results of this study will be used to inform policy and practice interventions to address disparities in the quality of breast cancer care.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01CA139014-01
Application #
7640134
Study Section
Health Services Organization and Delivery Study Section (HSOD)
Program Officer
Arora, Neeraj K
Project Start
2009-08-11
Project End
2011-07-31
Budget Start
2009-08-11
Budget End
2010-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$560,091
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
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Friese, Christopher R; Pini, T May; Li, Yun et al. (2013) Adjuvant endocrine therapy initiation and persistence in a diverse sample of patients with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 138:931-9
Penner, Louis A; Eggly, Susan; Griggs, Jennifer J et al. (2012) Life-Threatening Disparities: The Treatment of Black and White Cancer Patients. J Soc Issues 68:
Pini, T May; Hawley, Sarah T; Li, Yun et al. (2012) The influence of non-clinical patient factors on medical oncologists' decisions to recommend breast cancer adjuvant chemotherapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 134:867-74
Griggs, Jennifer J; Hawley, Sarah T; Graff, John J et al. (2012) Factors associated with receipt of breast cancer adjuvant chemotherapy in a diverse population-based sample. J Clin Oncol 30:3058-64