Study shows Medicaid expansion improves cancer care and survival for people with aggressive types of breast cancer

New research published online ahead of print Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network It found that people with newly diagnosed hormone receptor (HR)-negative, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer were more likely to receive timely, guideline-compliant treatment and survive longer in states participating in Medicaid expansion. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

to work The article is titled “Association of Medicaid Expansion with Timeliness of Treatment Receipt and Survival in Patients with HR-Negative, HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.”

A team of researchers led by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and including Kathryn J. Ruddy, MD, MPH, of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, used data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to examine outcomes for women around the world. People diagnosed with this type of breast in the United States between the ages of 18 and 62 cancer Between 2010 and 2018.

A total of 19,248 of the patients lived in Medicaid expansion states, while 12,153 resided in non-expansion areas. The two-year survival rate in expansion states increased from a base rate of 93.9% in 2010 to 95.0% during the study period. However, in nonexpansion states, the two-year survival rate decreased slightly from 94.0% to 93.9%. The largest difference was seen in patients with Stage III disease.

“Expanding Medicaid to the 10 states that have not yet done so could help ensure more cancer patients benefit from life-saving treatments,” said lead investigator Kewei Sylvia Shi, MPH, Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society.

“Increasing access to oncology services, expanding insurance coverage, and streamlining diagnosis and referral processes are crucial. Stage III cancer represents a critical point in disease presentation and, if inadequately treated, can further progress and become untreatable.”

“to have health insurance coverage These patients will be more likely to have timely and comprehensive access to life-saving treatments, be better compliant with medications, and complete treatment. treatment“This leads to better survival outcomes.”

HR-negative, HER2-positive breast cancer is an aggressive subtype that accounts for approximately 5% of all breast cancer diagnoses. This is the first study to focus on the impact of Medicaid expansion on this specific population.

The study found that treatment was performed according to recommendations in evidence-based, expert consensus-based clinical practice guidelines, such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines)—in cases of expansion, onset was more likely to occur within 90 days of diagnosis.

“This study shows that Medicaid expansion is a significant benefit for women newly diagnosed with HR-negative, HER2-positive chest cancer have equal access to healthcare health services “They need it, especially when prognosis depends on access to treatment,” said Millicent Gorham, CEO of the Women’s Health and Prevention Alliance, who was not involved in this research.

“Breast cancer is very common and rates are increasing” young womenThis makes it critical that policymakers prioritize women’s access to preventive health screenings and appropriate treatments.”

Provided by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network