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Radical prostatectomy: lower rates among African-American men
P J Imperato1, R P Nenner, T O Will
1IPRO, Lake Success, New York 11042, USA.
Journal of the National Medical Association
|September 1, 1996
Summary
African American men in New York had lower rates of radical prostatectomy, a key prostate cancer treatment, compared to white men, indicating healthcare disparities. This disparity persists even when diagnosed with localized disease.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Health Services Research
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Radical prostatectomy is a primary treatment for prostate cancer.
- Prostate cancer incidence and treatment rates can vary significantly by race and socioeconomic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare radical prostatectomy rates by race among male Medicare patients in New York.
- To investigate potential disparities in access to prostate cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of radical prostatectomies performed on male Medicare beneficiaries in New York (1990-1993).
- Analysis of trend data and pattern analysis of 4154 procedures.
- Comparison of rates across racial groups and age demographics.
Main Results:
- Radical prostatectomy rates increased for both African Americans and whites from 1990-1992.
- African American men had significantly lower annual rates of radical prostatectomy than white men across most age groups.
- African Americans were diagnosed with local disease less frequently (55%) than whites (70%), indicating later stage diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Despite higher national prostate cancer rates, African American men in New York experienced reduced access to radical prostatectomy.
- Disparities in access are particularly concerning for men under 70, where the procedure is considered appropriate.
- The study highlights inequities in healthcare access and calls for measures to address them.