New Study Shows Medicaid Expansion Improved Treatment and Survival for Young Women with Breast Cancer

In a new study by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS), Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act was associated with an increased receipt of timely, guideline-based treatment and improved two-year survival among young women newly diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer. The findings [were presented] at this year’s annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, June 2-6. 

Using the National Cancer Database, researchers, led by Dr. Xuesong Han, scientific director, health services research at the American Cancer Society, and Dr. Xu Ji, reviewed data on more than 51,000 women ages 18-39 who had been diagnosed with breast cancer between 2011-2018 and compared data before and after Medicaid expansion and in expansion and non-expansion states. They examined how many women received guideline-based treatment such as surgery, or chemotherapy within 60 days of diagnosis as well as two-year survival rates.

According to study results, among all women diagnosed with stage I through stage III breast cancer, Medicaid expansion was associated with increased receipt of guideline-concordant treatment, reduced delays in treatment initiation, and improved two-year overall survival.

This press release was originally published June 6, 2023, by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. It is republished with permission.