OBJECTIVE: To compare prostate cancer mortality for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men and to describe prostate cancer treatments received by Aboriginal men.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analysed cancer registry records for all men diagnosed with prostate cancer in New South Wales (NSW) in 2001-2007 linked to hospital inpatient episodes and deaths. More detailed information on androgen deprivation therapy and radiotherapy was obtained from medical records for 87 NSW Aboriginal men diagnosed in 2000-2011. The main outcomes were primary treatment for, and death from, prostate cancer. Analysis included Cox proportional hazards regression and logistic regression.
RESULTS: There were 259 Aboriginal men among 35214 prostate cancer cases diagnosed in 2001-2007. Age and spread of disease at diagnosis were similar for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men. Prostate cancer mortality 5 years after diagnosis was higher for Aboriginal men (17.5%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):12.4-23.3) than non-Aboriginal men (11.4%, 95% CI:11.0-11.8). Aboriginal men were 49% more likely to die of prostate cancer (Hazard Ratio 1.49, 95% CI:1.07-1.99) after adjusting for differences in demographic factors, stage at diagnosis, health access and comorbidities. Aboriginal men were less likely to have a prostatectomy for localised or regional cancer than non-Aboriginal men (adjusted Odds Ratio 0.60 95% CI:0.40-0.91). Of 87 Aboriginal men with full staging and treatment information 60% were diagnosed with localised disease. Of these 38% had a prostatectomy (+/- radiotherapy), 29% had radiotherapy only and 33% had neither.
CONCLUSION: More research is required to explain differences in treatment and mortality for Aboriginal men with prostate cancer compared to non-Aboriginal men. In the meantime, ongoing monitoring and efforts are needed to ensure Aboriginal men have equitable access to best care.
Written by:
Rodger JC, Supramaniam R, Gibberd AJ, Smith DP, Armstrong BK, Dillon A, O'Connell DL. Are you the author?
Cancer Research Division, Cancer Council NSW, PO Box 572, Kings Cross, NSW 1340, Australia.
Reference: BJU Int. 2014 Aug 14. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1111/bju.12899
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25124107