Breast Cancer Treatment Disparities Between Black, White Women In Georgia Exist Despite Health Insurance Status, Study Finds

Black women in Georgia newly diagnosed with breast cancer are less likely to receive adequate health care treatment than whites even when they have health insurance, according to a study presented on Sunday at the annual meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago, Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The study was conducted by HealthCore, a research subsidiary of WellPoint and led by Louise Short, director of HealthCore's Integrated Research Network, and Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of American Cancer Society. The study aimed to determine why black women have an increased risk of breast cancer and death from disease.

Researchers analyzed claims data and medical charts of more than 3, 000 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia beneficiaries who were diagnosed with breast cancer between January 2000 and August 2005. BCBS is the parent company of WellPoint. The researchers found several factors that predicted worse outcomes for blacks, including being diagnosed at a younger age and later stage and having a lower prevalence of hormone-positive breast cancer, lower rates of hormone therapy for certain patients and higher prevalence of hypertension.

For years, researchers were under impression that a lack of health insurance in part contributed to black women's breast cancer disparities, but study " data shows that while health insurance is an important predictor of quality of care an individual receives, it is not the only factor, " Brawley said. He added that many black women might " not trust the system " and delay seeking treatment.

The study says that " culturally sensitive and targeted interventions must be developed to increase earlier detection of breast cancer in [blacks], increase percentage of patients that receive hormonal therapy when it is indicated and include management of co-morbid conditions. " Brawley said, " [W]e must work to improve care and outcomes among this population " ( Hendrick, Atlanta Journal-Constitution , 6/2 ) .

An abstract of study is available online.

Reprinted with kind permission from http: //www. kaisernetwork. org. We can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search archives, or sign up for email delivery at http: //www. kaisernetwork. org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork. org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

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The advises from medical professionals

How Diazepam may help us.

uses of Diazepam Diazepam is used to treat episodes of increased seizures ( e. g. , acute repetitive seizures, breakthrough seizures ) in people who are already taking medications to control their seizures. Diazepam is only recommended for short-term treatment of seizure attacks. It's not for ongoing daily use to prevent seizures. Uncontrolled seizures can turn into serious ( possibly fatal ) seizures that don't stop ( status epilepticus ) .

Diazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which produce a calming effect on the brain and nerves ( central nervous system ) . It's thought to work by increasing the effect of a certain natural chemical ( GABA ) in the brain.

how to use of Diazepam Read the Patient/Caregiver Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before we use Diazepam and each time you get a refill. If you have questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Diazepam is given rectally by a caregiver trained to recognize the symptoms of your seizures and to correctly give the product. You and your caregivers must follow all instructions from your doctor and pharmacist exactly. Review all the instructions on how to give Diazepam in product package. If you have any questions or feel unsure about using Diazepam, call doctor or pharmacist before using Diazepam. Get emergency help if person is having a seizure and you don't feel comfortable using Diazepam.

Before using, check syringe for correct dose. Your pharmacist should set the correct dose and lock the syringe in " ready " position before giving you the product. Before leaving pharmacy, look at each syringe. The dose should be in display window on the side. You should see a green band with word " ready " at bottom of syringe barrel. Look to make sure you have correct syringe tip ( e. g. , smaller tip for a child ) and that there are no cracks around syringe tip. Return product to pharmacist if there's a problem or if we have any questions

Cracks can cause medication to leak out and not provide correct amount of medication. If we see a crack, use a different syringe. Cracks can appear over time, so keep checking your syringes to make sure you have good ones ready to use. Also check expiration date on the package, and refill your prescription before the medication expires.

The dosage is based on age, weight, medical condition, and response to therapy. Be sure we understand when Diazepam should be used, how to use it, and how to check for side effects/seizure control. In some cases, a second dose may be prescribed and given 4 to 12 hours after first dose. Usually, Diazepam shouldn't be used to treat more than 5 episodes per month and no more than one episode every 5 days. If seizures continue after using Diazepam as prescribed ( e. g. , no change 15 minutes after dose is given ) , or if there's a change in person's breathing, behavior, or condition that alarms you, get emergency help right away.

Diazepam should not be used regularly. This medication may cause dependence when it has been used regularly for a long time ( more than a few weeks ) or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, if we suddenly stop Diazepam, withdrawal reactions may occur while use Diazepam. Such reactions can include increased seizures. Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately. When stopping extended, regular treatment with Diazepam, gradually reducing dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Though it's very unlikely to occur, Diazepam can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior ( addiction/habit forming ) . Don't increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed.

Dispose of Diazepam properly. Follow directions in Patient Information Leaflet. Don't reuse the syringe.

Do not stop taking your regular seizure control medications when we are given Diazepam.

side effects of Diazepam Drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, and unsteadiness may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Diazepam because he or she has judged that benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Diazepam don't have serious side effects. Diazepam stays in body for a long time. Be sure to watch for reactions for at least 4 hours after giving medication.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious side effects occur:

A serious allergic reaction to Diazepam is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include:

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If we notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

precautions of Diazepam Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines ( e. g. , oxazepam, temazepam ) ; or if you have any other allergies.

Diazepam shouldn't be used if we have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if we have:

Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Diazepam may make we dizzy or drowsy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving, riding a bicycle, or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Caution is advised when using Diazepam in elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of Diazepam, especially drowsiness effect.

Diazepam is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If we become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor for more details.

Diazepam may pass into breast milk. Because of the possible harm to the infant, breast-feeding while using Diazepam is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

interactions of Diazepam Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for them. Don't start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Diazepam shouldn't be used with following medications because a very serious interaction may occur while use Diazepam:

If we are currently using either of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using Diazepam.

Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if we also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: antidepressants ( e. g. , amitriptyline, nefazodone ) , certain antihistamines ( e. g. , diphenhydramine ) , anti-seizure drugs ( e. g. , carbamazepine, phenobarbital, valproate ) , medicine for sleep or anxiety ( e. g. , alprazolam, kava, zolpidem ) , muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers ( e. g. , codeine ) , psychiatric medicines ( e. g. , chlorpromazine, risperidone ) .

Diazepam contains a small amount of alcohol. Tell your doctor if we are taking drugs such as disulfiram or metronidazole that can can cause an unpleasant reaction when combined with alcohol.

Avoid alcohol when using Diazepam because it may increase side effects such as difficulty breathing and drowsiness.

Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about safe use of those products.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share list with your doctor and pharmacist.

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