Encore Presentations
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
08:30 AM–10:00 AM
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is one of the most well-known cancers in America. It is one of the most diagnosed cancers and leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women in America, only behind lung cancer. African American women have a slightly lower incidence of breast cancer compared to Caucasian women but have over a 40% higher mortality rate compared to Caucasian women. Many health disparitiesbecame prominent at the beginning of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on breast cancer screening in African American women compared to Caucasian women in Louisiana.
Methods: This retrospective-chart review trial was conducted that included women between the ages of 18-74 years. Patients had to identify as African American or Caucasian race. Patients were included if they received a screening or diagnostic mammogram between January 1, 2017 and May 11, 2023. Descriptive analysis was used to assess data. Patients were divided into two groups pre-COVID, which was January 1, 2017 to March 5, 2020, and post-COVID, which was as March 6, 2020 to May 11, 2023. The primary endpoint of this study was time from previous mammogram prior to COVID-19 pandemic to the first mammogram during the pandemic in African American women compared to Caucasian women.
Results: Over 380,000 women were included in the study. African American women made up 32% of the population. The median age at the time of mammogram was 55 years, and the median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis was 61 years. There was no difference in incidence of breast cancer diagnosis prior and post COVID between the two groups. African American women had significant less time in between their Pre-COVID mammogram and their Post-COVID mammogram (75.4 weeks vs. 79.6 weeks).
Conclusion: Despite previous studies demonstrating the delay in cancer screening in African American women during COVID-19, African American women in Louisiana received their screening or diagnostic mammogram significantly sooner than Caucasian women in Louisiana.
Presenting Author
Jasmin Eugene PharmD
Xavier University of Louisiana College of PharmacyAuthors
Elizabeth Howard PhD, MSPH
Ochsner Xavier Institute for Health Equity & Research
LaKeisha Williams PharmD, MSPH
Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy