Use and timeliness of radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery in low-income women with early-stage breast cancer.

PURPOSE

To characterize overall receipt and timeliness of radiation therapy (RT) following breast-conserving surgery among Medicaid-insured patients.

METHOD

State cancer registry data linked with Medicaid claims from 2003 to 2009 were analyzed. Multivariate logistic and Cox proportional hazards regressions were employed.

RESULTS

Overall, 81% of patients received guideline-recommended RT. Significant variation in timing of RT initiation was documented. Having fewer comorbitidies and receiving chemotherapy were correlated with higher odds of RT initiation within 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Although RT use in Medicaid-insured women appears to have improved since earlier studies, documented delays in RT are troublesome and warrant further investigation.