Study Reveals Racial Disparities in Prostate Cancer Care
April 16, 2024
A landmark study conducted by Analysis Group has highlighted significant racial disparities in the treatment and survival of patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). Published in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, the research revealed that Black patients were considerably less likely to receive novel hormonal therapies or docetaxel and had a higher mortality rate compared to their white counterparts.
The study assessed 21,681 patients from Medicare and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) databases following the 2018 approval of new mCSPC treatments. Findings include:
- There is a 32% lower likelihood of treatment intensification (TI) in Black Medicare patients and a 25% lower likelihood in Black VHA patients compared to white patients.
- There is a 20% higher risk of death for Black patients within Medicare, with no significant survival disparity found in the VHA group.
- Dual enrollees in Medicare and Medicaid were 33% less likely to receive TI and faced a 50% higher risk of mortality.
This comprehensive study not only underscores the existing racial gaps in accessing advanced cancer treatments but also the impacts of socioeconomic factors on health outcomes. The findings stress the need for equitable treatment distribution and care accessibility for all demographic groups.
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[Source: PR Newswire, April 16th, 2024]
