Fax: (210) 562-6545
1097-0142/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=ca681f5719430b26e1bc15e9ea4c9fc0a7110104)
1097-0142/asset/olbannerright.gif?v=1&s=8142566facf7e76aef9be6c51162a2e920b3b9f9)
Original Article
Navigating Latinas with breast screen abnormalities to diagnosis†
The Six Cities Study
Article first published online: 10 DEC 2012
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.27912
Copyright © 2012 American Cancer Society
Additional Information
How to Cite
Ramirez, A. G., Pérez-Stable, E. J., Penedo, F. J., Talavera, G. A., Carrillo, J. E., Fernandez, M. E., Holden, A. E. C., Munoz, E., San Miguel, S. and Gallion, K. (2013), Navigating Latinas with breast screen abnormalities to diagnosis. Cancer, 119: 1298–1305. doi: 10.1002/cncr.27912
- †
We thank the Redes En Acción Community Advisory Panel and all members of the Redes research team.
- ‡
Fax: (210) 562-6545
Publication History
- Issue published online: 18 MAR 2013
- Article first published online: 10 DEC 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 18 OCT 2012
- Manuscript Revised: 12 OCT 2012
- Manuscript Received: 12 APR 2012
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- breast cancer;
- patient navigation;
- health disparities;
- Latinas;
- Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System;
- BI-RADS
Abstract
BACKGROUND.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Latinas, chiefly because of later diagnosis. The time from screening to diagnosis is critical to optimizing cancer care, yet the efficacy of navigation in reducing it is insufficiently documented. Here, the authors evaluate a culturally sensitive patient navigation program to reduce the time to diagnosis and increase the proportions of women diagnosed within 30 days and 60 days.
METHODS.
The authors analyzed 425 Latinas who had Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) radiologic abnormalities categorized as BI-RADS-3, BI-RADS-4, or BI-RADS-5 from July 2008 to January 2011. There were 217 women in the navigated group and 208 women in the control group. Women were navigated by locally trained navigators or were not navigated (data for this group were abstracted from charts). The Kaplan-Meier method, Cox proportional hazards regression, and logistic regression were used to determine differences between groups.
RESULTS.
The time to diagnosis was shorter in the navigated group (mean, 32.5 days vs 44.6 days in the control group; hazard ratio, 1.32; P = .007). Stratified analysis revealed that navigation significantly shortened the time to diagnosis among women who had BI-RADS-3 radiologic abnormalities (mean, 21.3 days vs 63.0 days; hazard ratio, 2.42; P < .001) but not among those who had BI-RADS-4 or BI-RADS-5 radiologic abnormalities (mean, 37.6 days vs 36.9 days; hazard ratio, 0.98; P = .989). Timely diagnosis occurred more frequently among navigated Latinas (within 30 days: 67.3% vs 57.7%; P = .045; within 60 days: 86.2% vs 78.4%; P = .023). This was driven by the BI-RADS-3 strata (within 30 days: 83.6% vs 50%; P < .001; within 60 days: 94.5% vs 67.2%; P < .001). A lack of missed appointments was associated with timely diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS.
Patient-centered navigation to assist Latina women with abnormal screening mammograms appeared to reduced the time to diagnosis and increase rates of timely diagnosis overall. However, in stratified analyses, only navigated Latinas with an initial BI-RADS-3 screen benefited, probably because of a reduction in missed diagnostic appointments. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.