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Updated: Jun 27, 2025
06:46
Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery
Published on: September 27, 2024
259
A Novel Approach to Analyze Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening and Mortality
Michael D Honaker1, Ashley E Burch2, Jan H Wong3
1Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|April 25, 2024
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates in North Carolina are linked to provider availability and rurality. Socioeconomic and education factors influence CRC mortality, with higher education reducing risk.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Reducing disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and mortality is a key public health goal.
- Previous mitigation strategies have had limited success in reducing these disparities.
- Understanding healthcare utilization variables associated with CRC screening and mortality is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify variables associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates and mortality in North Carolina.
- To explore the relationship between healthcare utilization, socioeconomic factors, and CRC outcomes.
- To inform targeted interventions for reducing CRC disparities.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of publicly available North Carolina data.
- Application of variable reduction techniques and cluster analysis.
- Multivariate analysis to assess associations between identified factors and CRC screening/mortality.
Main Results:
- CRC screening rates were associated with a socioeconomic-education index and a rural provider index.
- An increase in both indices correlated with a 6.8% increase in CRC screening rates.
- CRC mortality was linked to the rural provider index and socioeconomic factors, with improved socioeconomic factors decreasing mortality risk by 10.9%.
Conclusions:
- CRC screening rates in North Carolina are influenced by the interplay of provider availability and rurality.
- CRC mortality is associated with socioeconomic, economic, and education variables.
- Targeting socioeconomic and provider-related factors may help reduce CRC disparities.
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