Health disparities in cervical cancer: Estimating geographic variations of disease burden and association with key socioeconomic and demographic factors in the US

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307282
• Publication Date: 2024-07-18T17:29:44Z
• Authors: Tara Castellano; Andrew K. ElHabr; Christina Washington; Jie Ting; Yitong J. Zhang; Fernanda Musa; Ezgi Berksoy; Kathleen Moore; Leslie Randall; Jagpreet Chhatwal; Turgay Ayer; Charles A. Leath
• Keywords: Adult; Science; Q; R; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Health Status Disparities; Middle Aged; United States; Socioeconomic Factors; Cost of Illness; Risk Factors; Medicine; Humans; Female; Healthcare Disparities; Early Detection of Cancer; Research Article; Aged

Background Despite advances in cervical cancer (CC) prevention, detection, and treatment the US, health disparities persist, disproportionately affecting underserved populations or regions. This study analyzes geographical distribution of both CC recurrent/metastatic (r/mCC) US explores potential risk factors higher disease burden to inform strategies address r/mCC. Methods We estimated screening rates, as well (number patients with diagnosis per 100,000 eligible enrollees) r/mCC (proportion receiving systemic therapy not conjunction surgery radiation), at geographic level between 2017–2022 using administrative claims. Data on income race/ethnicity were obtained from Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Brachytherapy centers proxies for guideline-conforming care locally advanced CC. Associations among demographic, socioeconomic, healthcare resource variables, assessed. Results Between 2017–2022, approximately 48,000 CC-diagnosed identified, 10,000 initiated treatment. Both varied considerably across US. Higher was significantly associated lower only South. Lower burden. proportion Hispanic population also The presence ≥1 brachytherapy center a region reduction (2.7%). Conclusion are an interplay certain social determinants health, behavior, race/ethnicity. Our findings may targeted interventions area, further highlight importance reduce