Racial Disparities in the Presentation and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: A Statewide Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Non-Hispanic blacks (NHB) and Hispanics often present with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of the study was to characterize CRC differences among Hispanics, NHB, and non-Hispanic whites (NHW).

METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis and logistic regression of 2009 Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration Hospital Admission Database data for CRC using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes was performed. Outcomes included CRC location, frequency of metastasis and colectomy rates. Each minority group was compared with NHW.

RESULTS: A total of 34,577 patients were NHW, 5190 were NHB, and 5033 were Hispanic. NHB had more proximal CRC [odds ratio (OR), 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-1.25; P<0.0001]; Hispanics had more distal CRC (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.83-0.96; P=0.0024). Hispanics had increased metastases (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.22; P=0.04). NHB and Hispanics underwent fewer colectomies [(OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.86-0.99; P=0.03) and (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.84-0.97; P=0.001), respectively].

CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in CRC metastases and colectomy rates exist among these racial groups in Florida. This work should serve as a foundation to study potential causes and to design culture-specific interventions.