Prostate Cancer Referrals and Diagnoses: Sociodemographic Insights from North East London Study

What is it about?

This study investigates healthcare inequities in the referral and diagnosis of suspected prostate cancer (PCa) within an ethnically diverse and socially deprived urban region in North East London. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 12,947 patients referred under the 2-Week Wait (2WW) pathway to two NHS Trusts from February 2019 to August 2023. Data collected included sociodemographics, diagnosis, and pretreatment staging information, focusing on ethnicity, age, and the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on referrals and diagnoses. This study found that Black men were diagnosed with PCa at a younger age, with a higher age-adjusted incidence rate compared to other ethnic groups. Despite this, no significant differences in referrals, diagnoses, or T-stage by ethnicity were observed during lockdown versus non-lockdown periods. This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address disparities in PCa incidence, stage, and age at presentation among Black men, emphasizing the influence of socio-economic deprivation.

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Why is it important?

This study investigates the healthcare inequities in referrals and diagnoses of suspected prostate cancer (PCa) in an ethnically diverse and socially deprived urban region of North East London. Understanding these disparities is crucial for informing targeted interventions that aim to improve early diagnosis and reduce healthcare inequalities. This study's findings have broader implications for healthcare systems aiming to address ethnic and socio-economic disparities in cancer care. Key Takeaways: 1. The research demonstrates that Black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a younger age and have the highest age-adjusted incidence rate compared to other ethnic groups in the studied region. 2. Findings reveal that there are no statistically significant differences in prostate cancer referrals, diagnoses, or T-stage by ethnicity during COVID-19 lockdown versus non-lockdown periods. 3. This study highlights that social deprivation is linked to prostate cancer incidence, with increased deprivation associated with decreased incidence, possibly due to reduced levels of PSA testing and healthcare access in deprived areas.