Effects of housing value and medical subsidy on treatment and outcomes of breast cancer patients in Singapore: A retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Socioeconomic status (SES) is likely to affect survival in breast cancer patients. Housing value is a reasonable surrogate for SES in Singapore where most residents own their own homes, which could be public (subsidised) or private housing. We evaluated effects of housing value and enhanced medical subsidies on patients' presentation, treatment choices, compliance and survival in a setting of good access to healthcare.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of breast cancer patients treated in a tertiary hospital cluster from 2000 to 2016 was performed. Individual-level Housing value Index (HI) was derived from each patient's address and then grouped into 3 tiers: HI(high)(minimal subsidy), HI(med)(medium subsidy) and HI(low)(high subsidy). Cox regression was performed

SUBMITTER: Wong FY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8315650 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature