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Leanne Cecelia Chiaverini, BS, Rhode Island Department of Health, Brown University, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908, 401-222-7916, Leanne_Chiaverini@brown.edu
Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between increased travel distance to a radiation facility and decreased likelihood of choosing radiation therapy as treatment for local breast cancer in Rhode Island (RI). The use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) is valuable in determining accurate travel distance. Methods: Information on 2073 female RI residents diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer between 1997-2000 was obtained from the RI Cancer Registry. GIS software was used to geocode breast cancer cases, and to determine travel distance with straight-line allocation from the patient’s address at diagnosis to the nearest of four radiation facilities in RI. Travel distance was separated into three categories: near (0-10mi), middle (11-20mi), and far (21-32mi). Results: Of 1783 matched cases, 991 women received radiation therapy and 792 did not. The odds of receiving radiation therapy for local breast cancer among people who live far from a radiation facility were half that of people who live near a radiation facility (OR=0.565, 95% CI=0.359,0.888). Conclusions: This study supports previous research in other areas of the nation that women who live far from a radiation facility are less likely to receive radiation therapy for local breast cancer than women who live near a radiation facility. However, due to a large majority of women who live near a radiation facility in RI, interventions may not have a significant impact on the overall burden of breast cancer related to travel distance.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Breast Cancer, Geographic Information Systems
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.