Endometrial cancer: socioeconomic status and racial/ethnic differences in stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survival

Am J Public Health. 2004 Dec;94(12):2104-11. doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.12.2104.

Abstract

Objective: We evaluated the association between socioeconomic status and racial/ ethnic differences in endometrial cancer stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survival.

Methods: We conducted a population-based study among 3656 women.

Results: Multivariate analyses showed that either race/ethnicity or income, but not both, was associated with advanced-stage disease. Age, stage at diagnosis, and income were independent predictors of hysterectomy. African American ethnicity, increased age, aggressive histology, poor tumor grade, and advanced-stage disease were associated with increased risk for death; higher income and hysterectomy were associated with decreased risk for death.

Conclusions: Lower income was associated with advanced-stage disease, lower likelihood of receiving a hysterectomy, and lower rates of survival. Earlier diagnosis and removal of barriers to optimal treatment among lower-socioeconomic status women will diminish racial/ethnic differences in endometrial cancer survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Black or African American* / statistics & numerical data
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / ethnology*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / mortality
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy
  • Income
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Survival Rate