Current Projects

I-CARE

Breast cancer has the second largest incidence amongst cancers in Canada and disproportionately affects older women. Elderly women with breast cancer (>75 years) have mortality rates twice as high as younger women with breast cancer. Previous research has shown that breast cancer outcomes are inequitable due to older women refusing or having poor access to treatment. The objective of this study is to characterize elderly women who are not receiving breast cancer treatment and investigate the reasons behind treatment refusal. 

The study team will be using a de-identified dataset composed of 2,044 elderly patients with breast cancer (of which 204 refused treatment). Survival rates will be compared between the treated and untreated patient groups group by conducting descriptive statistics, a Cox Hazard Regression, and a Kaplan Meier Survival curve using de-identified patient data. The socio-demographic differences of the treated and untreated groups will be investigated using descriptive statistics and a logistic regression on de-identified administrative data. Finally, a retrospective chart review and a thematic analysis of findings will be conducted. 

The outcomes from this study are expected to benefit patients, physicians and health policy. For patients, investigating the reasons for treatment refusal may encourage better shared decision-making between the patient and physician. This study may help inform a physician’s capacity to guide elderly women with breast cancer through their treatment options. Health policy may be affected as the study could serve as a background resource for tool development of shared decision-making practices.