Socioeconomic disparities: a more important risk factor for advanced-stage oral cancer in Florida than smoking?

To explore the associations between sociodemographic factors with advanced-stage oral cavity cancer (OCC) presentation among Floridians.

Demographic and cancer data on OCC patients (n = 7,826) diagnosed between 2010 and 2017 were retrieved from the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS). Census tract median income and percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher were used to infer income and education. Pearson's chi-square tests of independence were used to compare sociodemographic factors between racial/ethnic groups and staging groups. Multinomial logistic regression analyzed predictors of advanced disease. Incidence and percent late-stage diagnosis versus income were mapped using ArcGIS Pro.

Among 5,252 cases analyzed: 5.7% were Black, 82.4% White Non-Hispanic, 61.5% male, 63.3% publicly insured, 6.5% uninsured, 58.7% current or former smokers, and 73.0% urban residents. Black patients were more likely to present with advanced disease, be single/unmarried, uninsured, and less likely to be former smokers. Male sex, Black race, non-married status, no insurance, Medicaid, VA/military insurance, and lower educational status were associated with increased risk of regional vs. early disease in multivariable analysis (MVA) (p < 0.05). These factors, in addition to Medicare, were associated with distant disease in MVA. Geospatial mapping revealed higher rates of regional and distant disease presentation in the Tampa Bay and Orlando areas.

Black race, male sex, non-married status, lower education, Medicaid, VA/Military insurance and no insurance were associated with advanced OCC in Florida. Smoking status was not associated with advanced disease presentation after adjusting for sociodemographic variables.