Cost Implications of an Evidence-Based Approach to Radiation Treatment After Lumpectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer treatment costs are rising, and identification of high-value oncology treatment strategies is increasingly needed. We sought to determine the potential cost savings associated with an evidence-based radiation treatment (RT) approach among women with early-stage breast cancer treated in the United States. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the National Cancer Database, we identified women with T1-T2 N0 invasive breast cancers treated with lumpectomy during 2011. Adjuvant RT regimens were categorized as conventionally fractionated whole-breast irradiation, hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation, and omission of RT. National RT patterns were determined, and RT costs were estimated using the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. RESULTS: Within the 43,247 patient cohort, 64% (n = 27,697) received conventional RT, 13.3% (n = 5,724) received hypofractionated RT, 1.1% (n = 477) received accelerated partial-breast irradiation, and 21.6% (n = 9,349) received no RT. Among patients who were eligible for shorter RT or omission of RT, 57% underwent treatment with longer, more costly regimens. Estimated RT expenditures of the national cohort approximated $420.2 million during 2011, compared with $256.2 million had women been treated with the least expensive regimens for which they were safely eligible. This demonstrated a potential annual savings of $164.0 million, a 39% reduction in associated treatment costs. CONCLUSION: Among women with early-stage breast cancer after lumpectomy, use of an evidence-based approach illustrates an example of high-value care within oncology. Identification of high-value cancer treatment strategies is critically important to maintaining excellence in cancer care while reducing health care expenditures.

Intensified Local Resource Mobilization for the Polio Eradication Initiative: The Experience of World Health Organization in Nigeria During 2008-2015.

BACKGROUND: Since the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolved in 1988 to eradicate poliovirus, several rounds of immunization campaigns have been conducted by member states. By 2000, with the support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners, the number of polio cases decreased by 99%. Eradicating the remaining 1% proved to be more challenging. Although the GPEI, being the largest public health project, required >$9 billion between 1988 and 2012, economic analysis showed the estimated incremental net benefits of $40 billion-$50 billion between 1988 and 2035. In 2012, the WHA declared that the completion of poliovirus eradication is a programmatic emergency for global public health. Nigeria, as one of 3 remaining polio-endemic countries, developed an emergency plan to interrupt the transmission of poliovirus. The plan included the introduction or scale-up of various new innovations and strategies, which had substantial financial implication. METHODS: This is a retrospective study to document the intensified resource mobilization efforts made by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria to meet the increased financial requirements and bridge the remaining gap in funding. In addition to the established coordination platforms, the WHO Nigeria Country Office team directly engaged with national authorities, donors, and partners throughout the process of resource requirement analysis, project appraisals, proposal development, and implementation of activities, joint monitoring, and evaluation exercises. The office strengthened its capacity for direct funds disbursement and systematic implementation of a rigorous accountability framework. RESULTS: Between 2008 and May 2015, $538 million was mobilized locally, of which 82% was mobilized since 2012. The percentage of the total funding requirements that were locally mobilized averaged 31% between 2008 and 2011 and increased to 70% between 2012 and May 2015. During the same period, the WHO Nigeria Country Office team produced and submitted 102 grant reports and facilitated >20 joint project assessment exercises. DISCUSSION: The polio program in Nigeria has achieved unprecedented gains, despite prevailing security and operational challenges, with no case of wild poliovirus infection since July 2014. Through rigorous, transparent, and accountable funds management practice, the WHO country office in Nigeria gained donors' confidence. The locally mobilized funds have made a remarkable contribution to the successful implementation of the strategies set out in the polio emergency plan. We face the challenges of a narrow donor-base, donor fatigue, and competition among other emerging agencies joining the polio eradication initiative efforts over the last few years. We actively engage the national authorities and partners for effective coordination of the polio eradication initiative program and harmonization of resources, using the existing platforms at national, state, and local levels. We recommend strengthening the local resource mobilization machinery and broadening the donor base, to support the polio endgame strategy. Such efforts should also be adopted to support routine immunization, introduction of new vaccines, and strengthening of health systems in the country as part of polio legacy planning.

Assessment of Treatment Response With Diffusion-Weighted MRI and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Treated With Single-Dose Preoperative Radiotherapy: Initial Results.

Single-dose preoperative stereotactic body radiotherapy is a novel radiotherapy technique for the early-stage breast cancer, and the treatment response pattern of this technique needs to be investigated on a quantitative basis. In this work, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were used to study the treatment response pattern in a unique cohort of patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with preoperative radiation. Fifteen female qualified patients received single-dose preoperative radiotherapy with 1 of the 3 prescription doses: 15 Gy, 18 Gy, and 21 Gy. Magnetic resonance imaging scans including both diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were acquired before radiotherapy for planning and after radiotherapy but before surgical resection. In diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, the regional averaged apparent diffusion coefficient was calculated. In dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, quantitative parameters K (trans) and v e were evaluated using the standard Tofts model based on the average contrast agent concentration within the region of interest, and the semiquantitative initial area under the concentration curve (iAUC6min) was also recorded. These parameters' relative changes after radiotherapy were calculated for gross tumor volume, clinical target volume, and planning target volume. The initial results showed that after radiotherapy, initial area under the concentration curve significantly increased in planning target volume (P < .006) and clinical target volume (P < .006), and v e significantly increased in planning target volume (P < .05) and clinical target volume (P < .05). Statistical studies suggested that linear correlations between treatment dose and the observed parameter changes exist in most examined tests, and among these tests, the change in gross tumor volume regional averaged apparent diffusion coefficient (P < .012) and between treatment dose and planning target volume K (trans) (P < .029) were found to be statistically significant. Although it is still preliminary, this pilot study may be useful to provide insights for future works.

Review of treatment assessment using DCE-MRI in breast cancer radiation therapy.

As a noninvasive functional imaging technique, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is being used in oncology to measure properties of tumor microvascular structure and permeability. Studies have shown that parameters derived from certain pharmacokinetic models can be used as imaging biomarkers for tumor treatment response. The use of DCE-MRI for quantitative and objective assessment of radiation therapy has been explored in a variety of methods and tumor types. However, due to the complexity in imaging technology and divergent outcomes from different pharmacokinetic approaches, the method of using DCE-MRI in treatment assessment has yet to be standardized, especially for breast cancer. This article reviews the basic principles of breast DCE-MRI and recent studies using DCE-MRI in treatment assessment. Technical and clinical considerations are emphasized with specific attention to assessment of radiation treatment response.

The experience of capacity building among health education workers in the Yukon.

BACKGROUND: Capacity building has developed as a health promotion approach that enables people to address determinants of health and to improve health outcomes. Although capacity building has been much discussed, little is known about what it means to build capacity in northern communities. This study explores the meaning and experience of capacity building in the Yukon. METHODS: A qualitative study, using an interpretive descriptive analysis, was undertaken through individual and small-group interviews with 21 Yukon health education workers associated with the Yukon College Public Health and Safety unit as first aid instructors. Participants were randomly selected from four groupings of Yukon communities, based on size. Transcripts were analyzed and interpreted for the health education workers' understanding, experience and observations of the outcomes of capacity building. RESULTS: Findings about capacity building are reported in relation to meaning, process, role of the health education worker and capacity-building outcomes. Themes that emerged indicate the ways in which health educators build on strengths, their focus on achieving an end of immediate importance within the community, and how they live in relationship with the community while undertaking capacity-building activities. CONCLUSION: In Yukon communities, the influence of relational practices of health education workers living and working in their communities on enhancing community capacity should not be underestimated. Further clarification of the concepts and appropriate measurement of capacity building and community capacity, particularly for rural and northern communities, may help support practice that contributes to redressing health inequities.