Key result
Breast cancer survivors with an established primary care provider were significantly more likely to receive cholesterol screening (88% vs 70%) and indicated statin therapy (63% vs 40%) than matched controls.
Why the study?
Data are limited regarding cardiovascular screening practices and lipid management among breast cancer survivors in primary care settings, despite CVD being their leading cause of death.
Do breast cancer survivors receive better cardiovascular screening and lipid management compared to matched controls in a primary care setting?
Case-Control (n=315)
No
Do breast cancer survivors receive better cardiovascular screening and lipid management compared to matched controls in a primary care setting?
Absolute Event Rate: 88% vs 70%
p-value: p=<0.001
Breast cancer survivors established in primary care receive more frequent cholesterol screening and appropriate statin prescribing than matched controls, highlighting the positive role of primary care in managing their elevated cardiovascular risk.
Primary care may enhance lipid management for breast cancer survivors; this case-control association extends observations but leaves open outcome benefits.
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among breast cancer (BC) survivors. BC survivors are at increased risk of CVD due to a higher prevalence of risk factors. Current data are limited on the cardiovascular screening practices and lipid management in this population in primary care settings. Methods: A retrospective case control study was performed with 105 BC survivors and 210 matched controls (based on age and medical comorbidities of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). BC survivors were established with primary care practices within a large academic institution and had completed primary cancer treatment. Data on screening for CVD and lipid management were collected via a retrospective chart review. Results: The average BC survivor was 63 years old, with 9 years since diagnosis. Compared with matched controls, BC survivors had more cholesterol screening (88% vs 70%, P < .001) and active statin prescriptions (63% vs 40%, P < .05) if indicated by the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Calculator. There were no differences in CVD screening in White and African American BC survivors. However, African American BC survivors were more likely to have hypertension (P < .01) and have a body mass index in the overweight and obese category (P < .001) than White BC survivors. Older BC survivors were more likely to receive cholesterol screening. Discussion: This study demonstrates that BC survivors who have an established primary care provider have improved cholesterol screening and statin therapy based on their risk of developing chronic diseases.
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Price et al. (2020) conducted a case-control in Breast Cancer Survivors (n=315). Breast cancer survivorship vs. Age and comorbidity matched controls without history of malignancy was evaluated on Cholesterol screening within 3 years (p=<0.001). Breast cancer survivors with an established primary care provider were significantly more likely to receive cholesterol screening (88% vs 70%) and indicated statin therapy (63% vs 40%) than matched controls.
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