Racial disparities and medical care accessibility in cancer statistics.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18510-e18510
Author(s):  
Noha Soror ◽  
Amany Keruakous
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Health Care Disparities ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
P Value ◽  
Annual Income ◽  
History Of ◽  
Prevalence Of Cancer ◽  
History Of Cancer

e18510 Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It continues to be the second leading cause of death in the United States despite all national efforts aiming to reduce cancer burden and mortality. Delays in medical care and subsequently age-appropriate screening leads to increased cancer burden which reflect on the overall prognosis. Medical care accessibility has been a challenge that is reported by approximately one third of the USA adult population. We aimed to identify health care disparities and its correlation with prevalence of cancer as well as delays in medical care due to financial challenges among Texas residents. Methods: We analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2017. We measured specific health care disparities including patient’s gender, age, race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), annual income, alcohol consumption, history of cancer, and delays in medical care due to financial burden, among respondents to the 2017 BRFSS survey from Texas. We computed the difference between our comparison groups using chi-square test for categorical variables and t-test for continuous variables. Results: We analyzed the differences in health care disparities among respondents with and without history of cancer. We report results from 11,165 adult respondents who reside in Texas, among which nine percent were diagnosed with cancer. We noticed a higher proportion of females than males among participants with a history of cancer (64% females p < 0.0001). Age did differ between both groups, with the majority of participants with cancer are aged 50 years and older. Interestingly, BMI did not differ between both groups (p-value = 0.6930). Although annual income did not differ between both groups, twelve percent of participants with cancer diagnosis suffered from delays in medical care due to financial burden. Racial disparities were statistically different between participants with or without cancer (p < .0001). Seventy seven percent of patients with cancer diagnosis were White and non-Hispanic with a cancer prevalence rate of 12% in that racial group. On a stratified analysis to compute the relationship between delayed medical care due to financial burden and cancer diagnosis among all ethnic groups, it was not statistically different (p-value = 0.1063). We showed that prevalence of cancer among multiracial participants and other racial minorities was higher in the group of participants who reported delays in medical care due to financial burden (11% versus 7%). Conclusions: Racial and ethnic disparities could affect accessibility to medical services. Race is a significant variable that is associated with cancer, with higher prevalence of cancer in White and non-Hispanic. Delayed medical care due to financial burden is more pronounced in multiracial population and racial minorities and should be targeted in future quality improvement projects.

scholarly journals Association of Smartphone Ownership and Internet Use With Markers of Health Literacy and Access: Cross-sectional Survey Study of Perspectives From Project PLACE (Population Level Approaches to Cancer Elimination)

10.2196/24947 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. e24947
Author(s):  
Sachiko M Oshima ◽  
Sarah D Tait ◽  
Samantha M Thomas ◽  
Oluwadamilola M Fayanju ◽  
Kearston Ingraham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Care Access ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Cancer

Background Telehealth is an increasingly important component of health care delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, well-documented disparities persist in the use of digital technologies. Objective This study aims to describe smartphone and internet use within a diverse sample, to assess the association of smartphone and internet use with markers of health literacy and health access, and to identify the mediating factors in these relationships. Methods Surveys were distributed to a targeted sample designed to oversample historically underserved communities from April 2017 to December 2017. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the association of internet and smartphone use with outcomes describing health care access and markers of health literacy for the total cohort and after stratifying by personal history of cancer. Health care access was captured using multiple variables, including the ability to obtain medical care when needed. Markers of health literacy included self-reported confidence in obtaining health information. Results Of the 2149 participants, 1319 (61.38%) were women, 655 (30.48%) were non-Hispanic White, and 666 (30.99%) were non-Hispanic Black. The median age was 51 years (IQR 38-65). Most respondents reported using the internet (1921/2149, 89.39%) and owning a smartphone (1800/2149, 83.76%). Compared with the respondents with smartphone or internet access, those without smartphone or internet access were more likely to report that a doctor was their most recent source of health information (344/1800, 19.11% vs 116/349, 33.2% for smartphone and 380/1921, 19.78% vs 80/228, 35.1% for internet, respectively; both P<.001). Internet use was associated with having looked for information on health topics from any source (odds ratio [OR] 3.81, 95% CI 2.53-5.75) and confidence in obtaining health information when needed (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.00-3.34) compared with noninternet users. Smartphone owners had lower odds of being unable to obtain needed medical care (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40-0.95) than nonsmartphone owners. Among participants with a prior history of cancer, smartphone ownership was significantly associated with higher odds of confidence in ability to obtain needed health information (OR 5.63, 95% CI 1.05-30.23) and lower odds of inability to obtain needed medical care (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.06-0.47), although these associations were not significant among participants without a prior history of cancer. Conclusions We describe widespread use of digital technologies in a community-based cohort, although disparities persist. In this cohort, smartphone ownership was significantly associated with ability to obtain needed medical care, suggesting that the use of smartphone technology may play a role in increasing health care access. Similarly, major illnesses such as cancer have the potential to amplify health engagement. Finally, special emphasis must be placed on reaching patient populations with limited digital access, so these patients are not further disadvantaged in the new age of telehealth.

Socio-economic disparities and accessibility to age-appropriate screening tools.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1529-1529
Author(s):  
Noha Soror ◽  
Amany Keruakous
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Care Disparities ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Cancer Prevalence ◽  
Economic Disparities ◽  
Age Appropriate ◽  
Prevalence Of Cancer

1529 Background: Pervasive racial and ethnic health disparities continue to be reported throughout the U.S. population. An increasing number of studies have discussed racial disparities in cancer statistics as well as socio-economic differences. The purpose of this study is to investigate sociodemographic health care disparities and the prevalence of cancer diagnosis in the context of challenges in medical services accessibility due to financial burden. Methods: Analysis of pooled cross-sectional data using 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Differences between our comparison groups were computed using chi square test for categorical values and t-test for continuous variables. Demographic factors were analyzed through weighted regression for accessibility to cancer treatment and prior cancer screening. Results: We report data from a total of 436,198 respondents to the 2017 BRFSS survey, with cancer prevalence 9.8% and higher prevalence of cancer among females and elderly population (70 years and older). Racial disparities differed significantly between respondents with and without history of cancer, with higher prevalence in Hispanic and multiracial minorities, 19% and 14%, respectively. We also report, differences in annual income are significantly associated with increased cancer prevalence in lower socioeconomic populations. Nineteen percent of participants who had annual income less than 25k were diagnosed with cancer. Additionally, analyzing the association between delayed medical care due to financial burden and its correlation with accessibility to age-appropriate cancer screening tools. We report significant differences in receipt of cancer screening among respondents, with consistently lower probabilities of receiving age-appropriate screening tools among participants who experienced delays in medical care due to cost, that applies to all screening tools. Among respondents who did not receive screening mammograms, 17% reported delays in medical care due to medical cost. Twelve percent of participants who did not receive screening colonoscopy suffered delays in medical care due to cost. Also, among participants who did not receive screening for prostate cancer with PSA testing, 11% reported delays in medical care due to cost. Conclusions: Health care disparities in cancer screening continue to persist including differences in socioeconomic classes and access to medical services. In this study, we report that patients with delayed access to medical services due to cost are not adequately receiving age-appropriate screening for cancer. Given the deleterious effects of delayed diagnosis and treatment of cancer, it is important that public health and clinical professionals utilize tools to improve cancer screening accessibility to minorities with socio-economic disparities.

Transportation barriers to health care and mortality risk among the U.S. adults with history of cancer.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 121-121
Author(s):  
Changchuan Jiang ◽  
Lei Deng ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Stuthi Perimbeti ◽  
Xuesong Han
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Cancer History ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Transportation Barriers ◽  
History Of ◽  
Barriers To Health ◽  
History Of Cancer

121 Background: Lack of transportation delayed medical care for approximately 6 million Americans in 2017. Prior studies showed cancer survivors tend to have more healthcare service use, higher medical cost, and adverse clinical outcomes. It is important to understand the prevalence of, risk factors for, and long-term health consequences of transportation barrier to health care among cancer survivors. Methods: We identified cohorts of adult with history of cancer (n = 25,317) and adults without history of cancer (n = 422,797) from the 2000-2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Transportation barriers were measured as medical care delay due to lack of transportation in the past 12 months using a survey question. The prevalence of transportation barriers was estimated using multivariable logistic models. Risk of mortality estimated with weighted Cox’s proportional hazards models with age as the time scale, adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, marital status, region, comorbidities, and survey year. All analyses accounted for complex survey design using SAS statistical software, version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc.), and SAS callable SUDAAN 11.0.3. Results: After adjustment for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities, the prevalence of transportation barrier were significantly higher among cancer survivors than among respondents without cancer history (2.1% vs 1.6%, p = 0.001, adjusted odd ratio [OR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval (95CI): 1.10-1.35). Cancer survivors with transportation barrier were more likely to be younger, female, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, less educated, unmarried, public insurance beneficiary or uninsured, and with more comorbidities. Among all participants, cancer survivors with transportation barrier had the highest adjusted mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.12, 95CI: 1.81-2.49); followed by cancer survivors without transportation barrier (HR: 1.53, 95CI: 1.42-1.65); and adults without a cancer history with transportation barrier (HR: 1.50; 95CI: 1.45-1.55) compared with adults with neither a cancer history nor transportation barrier. Conclusions: Transportation barriers to health care had a disproportionate impact on cancer survivors, especially those who are underserved, and who have more medical needs. Increased risk of mortality was observed among adults with and without a cancer history who delayed care due to lack of transportation. It highlights the need for efforts to mitigate transportation barriers to medical care during a time of rapid change in transportation and telehealth technology.

scholarly journals Association of Smartphone Ownership and Internet Use With Markers of Health Literacy and Access: Cross-sectional Survey Study of Perspectives From Project PLACE (Population Level Approaches to Cancer Elimination) (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachiko M Oshima ◽  
Sarah D Tait ◽  
Samantha M Thomas ◽  
Oluwadamilola M Fayanju ◽  
Kearston Ingraham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Care Access ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Cancer

BACKGROUND Telehealth is an increasingly important component of health care delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, well-documented disparities persist in the use of digital technologies. OBJECTIVE This study aims to describe smartphone and internet use within a diverse sample, to assess the association of smartphone and internet use with markers of health literacy and health access, and to identify the mediating factors in these relationships. METHODS Surveys were distributed to a targeted sample designed to oversample historically underserved communities from April 2017 to December 2017. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the association of internet and smartphone use with outcomes describing health care access and markers of health literacy for the total cohort and after stratifying by personal history of cancer. Health care access was captured using multiple variables, including the ability to obtain medical care when needed. Markers of health literacy included self-reported confidence in obtaining health information. RESULTS Of the 2149 participants, 1319 (61.38%) were women, 655 (30.48%) were non-Hispanic White, and 666 (30.99%) were non-Hispanic Black. The median age was 51 years (IQR 38-65). Most respondents reported using the internet (1921/2149, 89.39%) and owning a smartphone (1800/2149, 83.76%). Compared with the respondents with smartphone or internet access, those without smartphone or internet access were more likely to report that a doctor was their most recent source of health information (344/1800, 19.11% vs 116/349, 33.2% for smartphone and 380/1921, 19.78% vs 80/228, 35.1% for internet, respectively; both <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Internet use was associated with having looked for information on health topics from any source (odds ratio [OR] 3.81, 95% CI 2.53-5.75) and confidence in obtaining health information when needed (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.00-3.34) compared with noninternet users. Smartphone owners had lower odds of being unable to obtain needed medical care (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40-0.95) than nonsmartphone owners. Among participants with a prior history of cancer, smartphone ownership was significantly associated with higher odds of confidence in ability to obtain needed health information (OR 5.63, 95% CI 1.05-30.23) and lower odds of inability to obtain needed medical care (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.06-0.47), although these associations were not significant among participants without a prior history of cancer. CONCLUSIONS We describe widespread use of digital technologies in a community-based cohort, although disparities persist. In this cohort, smartphone ownership was significantly associated with ability to obtain needed medical care, suggesting that the use of smartphone technology may play a role in increasing health care access. Similarly, major illnesses such as cancer have the potential to amplify health engagement. Finally, special emphasis must be placed on reaching patient populations with limited digital access, so these patients are not further disadvantaged in the new age of telehealth.

Health and Medicine in the Islamic Tradition

1990 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-90
Author(s):  
Dennis Michael Warren
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Islamic Tradition ◽  
Medical Tradition ◽  
Islamic Thought ◽  
History Of ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The late Dr. Fazlur Rahman, Harold H. Swift Distinguished Service Professor of Islamic Thought at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, has written this book as number seven in the series on Health/Medicine and the Faith Traditions. This series has been sponsored as an interfaith program by The Park Ridge Center, an Institute for the study of health, faith, and ethics. Professor Rahman has stated that his study is "an attempt to portray the relationship of Islam as a system of faith and as a tradition to human health and health care: What value does Islam attach to human well-being-spiritual, mental, and physical-and what inspiration has it given Muslims to realize that value?" (xiii). Although he makes it quite clear that he has not attempted to write a history of medicine in Islam, readers will find considerable depth in his treatment of the historical development of medicine under the influence of Islamic traditions. The book begins with a general historical introduction to Islam, meant primarily for readers with limited background and understanding of Islam. Following the introduction are six chapters devoted to the concepts of wellness and illness in Islamic thought, the religious valuation of medicine in Islam, an overview of Prophetic Medicine, Islamic approaches to medical care and medical ethics, and the relationship of the concepts of birth, contraception, abortion, sexuality, and death to well-being in Islamic culture. The basis for Dr. Rahman's study rests on the explication of the concepts of well-being, illness, suffering, and destiny in the Islamic worldview. He describes Islam as a system of faith with strong traditions linking that faith with concepts of human health and systems for providing health care. He explains the value which Islam attaches to human spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. Aspects of spiritual medicine in the Islamic tradition are explained. The dietary Jaws and other orthodox restrictions are described as part of Prophetic Medicine. The religious valuation of medicine based on the Hadith is compared and contrasted with that found in the scientific medical tradition. The history of institutionalized medical care in the Islamic World is traced to awqaf, pious endowments used to support health services, hospices, mosques, and educational institutions. Dr. Rahman then describes the ...

scholarly journals Incidence of VTE Among Patients with a Cancer Diagnosis in Oklahoma County

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 3463-3463
Author(s):  
Micah Denay McCumber ◽  
Aaron Mark Wendelboe ◽  
Janis Campbell ◽  
Kai Ding ◽  
Michele G Beckman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Americans ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Surveillance Period ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
History Of Cancer ◽  
Active Cancer

Background: Patients with cancer are at elevated risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Active cancer contributes a 4-7 fold increased risk for VTE; however, the incidence of VTE stratified by subpopulations of patients diagnosed with cancer, especially race/ethnicity, is uncertain. Objective: Describe the incidence of VTE among adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with a cancer diagnosis in Oklahoma County, OK according to age, gender, race, and cancer type. Methods: In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we established a population-based surveillance system for VTE in Oklahoma County, OK between April 1, 2012-March 31, 2014 to estimate the incidences of first-time and recurrent VTE events. The Commissioner of Health made VTE a reportable condition and delegated surveillance-related responsibilities to the University of Oklahoma, College of Public Health. Active surveillance involved reviewing imaging studies (e.g., chest computed tomography and compression ultrasounds of the extremities) from all inpatient and outpatient facilities in the county and collecting demographic, treatment and risk factor data on all VTE case-patients. Patients were linked to the Oklahoma Central Cancer Registry. Any patient with a cancer diagnosis since 1997, excluding basal or squamous cell carcinoma, were included in the population-at-risk. Active cancer was defined as metastatic or a diagnosis ≤6 months before their VTE diagnosis. Poisson regression was used to estimate incidence rates (IRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), which are reported per 1,000 person years (PY). Estimates with &lt;10 events were suppressed. Results: Among all patients aged ≥18 years with a cancer diagnosis since 1997, 1.5% (n = 881) had a VTE event during the 2-year surveillance period. The overall annual age-adjusted incidence of VTE among those with cancer was 6.8 per 1,000 PY (95% CI: 5.81, 7.95). The demographic-specific incidence rates are summarized in Table 1. The VTE incidence did not significantly differ by sex. When stratified by age, annual VTE incidence was similar among those aged 18-39 years (6.1/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 4.35, 8.61), 40-59 years (6.2/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 5.4, 7.14), and 60-79 years (7.2/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 6.55, 7.90), however, the incidence was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in those aged 80+ years (10.1/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 8.77, 11.61). When patients with a cancer diagnosis were stratified by race/ethnicity, non-Hispanic blacks had the highest VTE incidence (11.7/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 10.00, 13.59), followed by Hispanics (8.0/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 5.66, 11.44), non-Hispanic whites (6.9/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 6.41, 7.48), other non-Hispanic/unknown (5.8/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 3.45, 9.85), and non-Hispanic Native Americans (2.6/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 1.39, 4.79). VTE incidence was highest among those with active cancer or a history of cancer within the past three years, after which it appeared to decrease. When stratified by primary cancer type, VTE incidence was highest among those with brain cancer (16.6/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 11.06, 25.04) and lowest among those with prostate cancer (5.2/1,000 PY, 95% CI: 4.20, 6.44). As shown in Table 2, when stratified by cancer type, the incidence of VTE was higher (non-overlapping CIs) among those with active cancer compared to those with a history of cancer &gt;6 months for several tumor types. Discussion: The incidence of VTE among those with cancer differs by race/ethnicity, with non-Hispanic blacks bearing the highest burden of disease. The risk of VTE persists and is particularly elevated up to three years after a cancer diagnosis. Disclosures Raskob: Eli Lilly: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Portola: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen R&D, LLC: Consultancy, Honoraria; Tetherex: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria; Anthos: Consultancy; Bayer Healthcare: Consultancy, Honoraria; Boehringer Ingelheim: Consultancy.

Psychological, Social and Technical Factors Influencing Electronic Medical Records Systems Adoption by U.S. Physicians: A Systematic Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghid El-Yafouri ◽  
Leslie Klieb ◽  
Valérie Sabatier
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Electronic Medical Records ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Intention To Adopt

Abstract Background: Wide adoption of electronic medical records (EMR) systems in the United States can lead to better quality medical care at a lower cost. Despite the laws and financial subsidies by the U.S. government for service providers and suppliers, the adoption has been slow. Understanding the EMR adoption drivers for physicians and the role of policymaking can translate into increased adoption rate and enhanced information sharing between medical care providers. Methods: Physicians across the United States were surveyed to gather primary data on their psychological, social, and technical perceptions toward EMR systems. This quantitative study builds on the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Technology Acceptance Model, and the Diffusion of Innovation theory to propose, test, and validate an innovation adoption model for the health care industry. 382 responses were collected and data were analyzed via linear regression to uncover the effects of 12 variables on the intention to adopt EMR systems.Results: Regression model testing uncovers that government policymaking or mandates and other social factors have little or negligible effect on physicians’ intention to adopt an innovation. Rather, physicians are directly driven by their attitudes and ability to control, and indirectly motivated by their knowledge of the innovation, the financial ability to acquire the system, the holistic benefits to their industry, and the relative advancement of the system compared to others.Conclusions: A unidirectional mandate from the government is not sufficient for physicians to adopt an innovation. Government, health care associations, and EMR system vendors can benefit from our findings by working toward increasing the physicians’ knowledge of the proposed innovation, socializing how medical care providers and the overall industry can benefit from EMR system adoption, and solving for the financial burden of system implementation and sustainment.

Personal Mastery and the Medical, Financial, and Physical Cancer Burden: Gender and Race Differences Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1233-1243
Author(s):  
Tetyana Pudrovska ◽  
Andriy Anishkin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
White Men ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Personal Mastery

Objectives: We explore how a new cancer diagnosis affects trajectories of personal mastery among non-Hispanic Black and White older adults. We estimate whether and how cancer therapy (chemotherapy, surgery, radiation), the amount and type of health care contacts, the financial burden, and the physical symptoms of cancer explain within- and between-gender differences in mastery. Method: Using the 2006–2014 data from the Health and Retirement Study, we apply matching and multiple regression models testing mediating and moderating effects. Results: White men experience a substantially more pronounced decline in mastery after a cancer diagnosis than all women and Black men. Cancer treatment disproportionately decreases White men’s mastery via exposure to health care settings. Discussion: Cultural norms of masculinity and femininity imbue cancer and its treatment with gender-specific meanings. Deference to medical authority and losses of independence, decision-making, and self-reliance are incompatible with masculinity and might affect mastery more adversely in older White men.

Racial Disparities in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: A VA Population Study.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 4614-4614
Author(s):  
Sanjay Maraboyina ◽  
Rami S. Komrokji ◽  
Rami Y. Haddad ◽  
Zeina A. Nahleh ◽  
Malek M. Safa
Keyword(s):  
Family History ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
P Value ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Black Patients ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Cancer ◽  
Large B Cell

Abstract Background: Racial disparities in diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (DLBCL) are not well studied. Racial differences in outcome are not well recognized given majority of patients with DLBCL are white. The VA health care system offers a platform to study those racial differences given similar other variables and socioeconomic status among those patients. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis. The VA Central Cancer Registry (VACCR) database was used to identify patients with DLBCL diagnosed between 1995 and 2005. There are approximately 120 VA medical centers diagnosing and/or treating patients with cancer. The VACCR aggregates the data collected by the medical centers’ cancer registries. Data were extrapolated and analyzed using bio-statistical software SPSS. Variables included age, sex, stage of disease, histology subtype, date of diagnosis, date of last contact, date of relapse, vital status, family history of cancer, tobacco history, alcohol history, Agent orange exposure and whether patients received chemotherapy and or radiation. Independent t test was used for comparing continuous variables and chi square test for categorical variables. Wilcoxon test was used to compare survival among the two groups. Results: There were 2792 patients with DLBCL at the VA system, 2402 white and 323 black patients. Sixty-seven patients from other racial groups were excluded from this analysis. The mean age of presentation among blacks was 57.8 years compared to 65.7 years among whites (P-value &lt; 0.005). More Black patients had history of alcohol use, and smoking. More white patients had family history of cancer. No differences in histology subtypes were observed. Other baseline characteristics were similar. No difference in stage of disease was noted at presentation. IPI score data were not available. Similar proportion of patients received multi-agent chemotherapy among the two groups, 70 % for blacks and 67% for whites (P-value 0.58). Among blacks 16 % of patients received radiation while 19.5 % white patients did (P-value 0.73). The 5-year overall survival for blacks was 24 % compared to 29% for whites (P-value 0.92, Wilcoxon test). No statistically significant differences in survival were noted between the two races within each clinical stage. Using Cox regression multivariable analysis age, stage and chemotherapy were the only statistically significant independent variables affecting survival. Conclusions: DLBCL is less common among blacks. Blacks diagnosed with DLBCL are more likely to present at younger age. The treatment and outcome of DLBCL among blacks are not different from whites within the VA system.

Characteristics of probands with mutations predisposing to gynecologic cancers enrolled in a facilitated cascade testing protocol.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13682-e13682
Author(s):  
Kristina Hwang ◽  
Katherine Baumann ◽  
Allison Brodsky ◽  
Kathleen Lutz ◽  
Deanna Gerber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Genetic Mutation ◽  
Personal History ◽  
Gynecologic Cancers ◽  
Cascade Testing ◽  
Pathogenic Mutations ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mutation Identification ◽  
History Of Cancer

e13682 Background: We sought to evaluate the feasibility of obtaining genetic testing (GT) for first- or second-degree (1°, 2°) family members of a proband known to have actionable germline mutation associated with endometrial and/or ovarian cancer through a coordinated referral system. Here we characterize the initial probands and discuss the time frame of their enrollment in facilitated cascade testing (CT). Methods: Patients with pathogenic mutations associated with gynecologic cancers were determined from cancer genetics and gynecologic oncology clinics. Consenting patients completed a RedCap survey on personal cancer history and history of GT. They were then asked to contact 1° and/or 2° relatives regarding their GT results. Relatives were advised to contact our team. Relatives who consented to the study were referred for GT and contacted for follow up to ascertain whether they received GT and/or took action to reduce cancer risk. Results: From 3/2019- 1/2020, this study has accrued 39 probands. The median age was 39 years (range: 25-68). The most commonly expressed gene mutations were BRCA1 or BRCA2 (87.18%, n=34). Other mutations included BRIP1, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2. The majority (62%) of probands had no personal history of cancer. Among those who had a history of cancer (n=15), 80% had breast and/or ovarian cancer, and 80% reported their genetic mutation was discovered at or after the time of their cancer diagnosis. Median age at time of enrollment in CT was 49 years (range: 29-66) for patients with a history of cancer and 32 years (range: 25- 68) for those without, (p=0.009). Among all probands, the median time between mutation identification and enrollment in CT was 2 years (range=0 to 11). There was no significant difference in time between mutation identification and enrollment in CT when comparing those with and without cancer histories (p=0.5). Conclusions: These results suggest that patients with pathogenic mutations predisposing to gynecologic cancer are willing to undergo CT even if they have no personal history of cancer. Patients with a history of cancer tend to be older at time of enrollment in CT, likely because most discover their genetic mutation at or after the time of cancer diagnosis. With an average of 2 years elapsed between time of mutation identification and enrollment in CT, there is need for expansion of CT accessibility. Increased education and awareness among patients and providers in identifying those who may benefit from CT, screening, and risk reducing surgery to prevent cancer is needed.

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