Colorectal Cancer Demographics in Atlantans of Black Ancestry: A Single-Institution Study
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Published on: September 27, 2024
Sasha Corbin1, Shamir O Cawich2, Shaneeta Johnson3
1Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
Introduction:
There is published data to demonstrate that colorectal cancer (CRC) occurs at a higher incidence and results in greater mortality in persons of Black ancestry, when compared to White and Hispanic populations. In the state of Georgia, the annual incidence of CRC in persons of Black ancestry was estimated to be greater than the national annual incidence in the United States. We examined the demographic features of CRC in a predominantly Black population at the Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective audit of all consecutive individuals diagnosed with CRC over an 8-y period from January 1, 2014, to December 30, 2021. We identified all patients with CRC who were of Black ancestry. Their hospital records were retrieved for detailed analysis and a descriptive report was prepared to detail their age, gender, and location of the primary and CRC stage.
Results:
Over an 8-y period, there were 910 persons diagnosed with CRC, and 701 (77%) were of Black ancestry. This included 370 (52.8%) males and 331 (47.2%) females, with a mean age of 60.85 y (SD ± 11.51; range 26-101; median 61). Fifty-three percent of patients had locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis.
Conclusions:
This population of persons with Black ancestry has a greater incidence of right-sided CRC (54%). At the time of diagnosis, 53% of persons have locally advanced or metastatic disease. From a public health standpoint, there may be a need to educate this population on screening programs.
