Early Stage Breast Cancer in Older Women: Predictors and Outcomes of Therapy
Abstract
The goal of this project is to study the relationship of initial surgical treatment for breast cancer to specific outcomes. We have completed substantial work on the development of an algorithm to use Medicare data to identity women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The specificity of the algorithm is 99.95% when using hospital claims, but 99.3% when using hospital and physician claims. By studying tumor registry patients in nine locations across the United States, we have determined that the rate of receipt of appropriate initial breast care (defined as total mastectomy plus lymph node dissection, or breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy and lymph node dissection) has decreased by about 10% from 88% in 1990 to 78% by the end of 1995. This decrease in the percentage receiving appropriate therapy occurred in all age groups. It was more prominent among those residing in more urban areas, and appears attributable mostly to women undergoing breast-conserving surgery without radiotherapy or without lymph node dissection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADB247704
Entities
People
- Ann B. Nattinger
Organizations
- Medical College of Wisconsin