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Cancer in an incarcerated population
Paul Mathew1, Linda Elting, Catherine Cooksley
1Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA. pmathew@mdanderson.org
Cancer
|October 6, 2005
Summary
Cancer diagnoses and mortality are rising among incarcerated individuals, with lung carcinoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and hepatic carcinoma being leading causes. Inmate survival rates are significantly lower compared to the general population, highlighting challenges for prison health systems.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The U.S. prison system faces significant challenges due to its large incarcerated population.
- Patterns of cancer presentation and mortality within this population remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cancer epidemiology and mortality among incarcerated individuals.
- To compare cancer patterns in inmates with the general population using SEER data.
Main Methods:
- An historical cohort study of 1807 inmates diagnosed with cancer in Texas over 20 years.
- Comparison with a random SEER sample (179,757 patients) and an age/gender/race-matched SEER cohort (6124 patients).
- Analysis of disease sites, mortality, and survival rates.
Main Results:
- Cancer diagnoses in inmates increased with the inmate population.
- Leading cancers included lung carcinoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and oral/pharyngeal carcinomas.
- Inmates had higher mortality for lung carcinoma, NHL, and hepatic carcinoma compared to SEER cohorts.
- Median survival was significantly lower for inmates (21 months) versus SEER cohorts (54-55 months).
Conclusions:
- Unique cancer epidemiology and high mortality rates are observed in the incarcerated population.
- These findings have critical implications for the management and resources of prison health systems.