PATH-EC

Diagnostic Pathways to Endometrial Cancer in British Columbia (PATH-EC): A Population-Based Evaluation of Procedures, Resource Utilization, and Costs

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in Canada. Although most patients undergo endometrial sampling, the pathway to diagnosis can vary considerably. Some patients receive a single office endometrial biopsy, while others undergo repeated biopsies, hysteroscopies, dilation and curettage (D&C), or operative procedures requiring sedation or general anesthesia. Current guidelines provide limited evidence regarding the real-world resource implications of these different pathways. Understanding the frequency of repeat procedures, operating room utilization, anesthesia exposure, and healthcare costs associated with contemporary diagnostic pathways could identify opportunities to reduce patient burden and improve system efficiency.

This project is a retrospective population-based cohort study of all individuals diagnosed with endometrial cancer in British Columbia between 2015 and 2023. Using linked administrative databases (i.e., BC Cancer Registry, MSP physician billing data, Discharge Abstract Database, National Ambulatory Care Reporting System, and PharmaNet where appropriate), we will reconstruct the diagnostic pathway during the 12 months preceding cancer diagnosis