Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Receipt of Cancer Treatment

摘要: A disproportionate number of cancer deaths occur among racial/ethnic minorities, particularly African Americans, who have a 33% higher risk dying than whites. Although differences in incidence and stage disease at diagnosis may contribute to racial disparities mortality, evidence the receipt treatment other chronic diseases raises questions about possible role inequities treatment. To evaluate treatment, we examined published literature that addressed access/use specific procedures, trends patterns use, or survival studies. We found definitive primary therapy, conservative adjuvant therapy. These could not be completely explained by variation clinically relevant factors. In many studies, these were associated with an adverse impact on health outcomes including more frequent recurrence, shorter disease-free survival, mortality. Reducing influence nonclinical factors may, therefore, provide important means reducing health. New data resources improved study methodology are needed better identify quantify full spectrum mortality minorities develop strategies facilitate appropriate care for all patients.