Last week, researchers reported the results of an analysis of the Southern Community Cohort Study (JAMA). From 2002-2009 over 49,000 women were recruited to the Southern Community Cohort Study from community health centers in twelve southeastern states. Of those women 2002 had breast, ovarian or both cancers. Of that group 718 (62% black and 33% white; 689 breast cancer and 30 ovarian cancer) were covered by medicare. Sixty-two percent of the women reported an annual income of less than $15,000. Ninety-two of the 718 women would qualify to have Medicare cover the cost of BRCA testing.
Amy Gross, PhD Vanderbilt University reported that of those 92 women only 8 had BRCA testing within five years of diagnosis. Analysis of the medical records from the twelve states showed that Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and West Virginia had zero tests. When data from 2000-2004 was examined it was found that no eligible women were given a BRCA test. Later years showed an increase in testing but in 2010-2014 only ~ 15% received the test. “This testing rate is lower than what I have seen reported in terms of any other study with the same time and eligibility constraints,” Gross said.(VUMC Reporter) The numbers did improve over time
While the sample size is small there could be a few reasons for why the numbers are so low including lack of interest on the part of the patient, lack of referrals for testing by physicians or lack of available resources. The researchers concluded that "novel strategies are needed to ensure that medically underserved women with cancer receive appropriate referral and access to genetic testing."
After reading this report I wonder...
How these numbers from medically underserved individuals compares to women covered by other insurance plans and/or those treated at larger cancer centers during the same time period?
We know that BRCA status is critical in deciding which treatments a women with ovarian cancer provide the most benefit but it also impacts the ability of family members to reduce their risk of breast and ovarian cancer. What can we do to insure that all women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer have access to BRCA genetic testing as recommended by the SGO.
Dee
Every Day is a blessing!
Resources:
The JAMA article https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2696996
Reuters Article https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-breastcancer-gene-testing/not-all-women-eligible-for-breast-cancer-gene-tests-are-getting-them-idUSKBN1KZ1RP
VUMC Reporter article http://news.vumc.org/2018/08/14/medically-underserved-women-in-the-southeast-rarely-receive-brca-tests/
