Wait times and breast cancer survival: a population-based retrospective cohort study using CanIMPACT data
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.A shorter interval between breast cancer surgery and chemotherapy is linked to better survival outcomes. Delays in initial contact-to-consultation or contact-to-chemotherapy did not significantly impact survival in this study.
Area Of Science
- Oncology
- Health Services Research
- Epidemiology
Background
- The timing of adjuvant chemotherapy relative to breast cancer surgery is a known prognostic factor.
- The impact of earlier treatment pathway intervals, such as initial healthcare contact to specialist consultation or chemotherapy, on survival remains less understood.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the association between various treatment wait times and overall survival in women with stage I-III breast cancer.
- Specifically examine the intervals from first breast cancer-related healthcare contact to specialist consultation (contact-to-consultation) and to adjuvant chemotherapy (contact-to-chemotherapy), alongside the surgery-to-chemotherapy interval.
Main Methods
- A population-based retrospective cohort study of 12,782 women diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer in Ontario, Canada (2007-2011).
- Utilized Cox-proportional hazards regression to analyze the association between time intervals and overall survival.
- Adjusted for key prognostic factors including cancer stage, age, comorbidities, socioeconomic status, and treatment details.
Main Results
- A longer interval between surgery and initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (HR 1.13 per 30-day increase).
- No significant association was found between the contact-to-consultation interval (HR 0.979 per 30-day increase) and overall survival.
- The comprehensive contact-to-chemotherapy interval also showed no significant impact on overall survival (HR 1.00 per 30-day increase).
Conclusions
- A shorter surgery-to-chemotherapy interval is crucial for improving overall survival in breast cancer patients.
- The timing of initial healthcare contact to specialist consultation or chemotherapy appears to have a less pronounced effect on survival outcomes compared to the post-surgical chemotherapy delay.
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