Socio-economic disadvantage and demographics as factors in stage of colorectal cancer presentation and survival

Socioeconomic disadvantage and its impact on colorectal cancer in Australia: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Social disparities in cancer survival have been demonstrated in Australia despite a universal healthcare insurance system. Colorectal cancer is common, and reasons for survival disparities related to socioeconomic status need to be investigated and addressed. The aim is to evaluate the current Australian literature concerning the impact of socioeconomic status on colorectal cancer survival and stage at presentation.

METHODS

A systematic search of PUBMED, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Clarivate Web of Science databases from January 2010 to March 2022 was performed. Studies investigating the impact of socioeconomic status on colorectal stage at presentation or survival in Australia were included. Data were extracted on author, year of publication, state or territory of origin, patient population, other exposure variables, outcomes and findings and adjustments made.

RESULTS

Of the 14 articles included, the patient populations examined varied in size from 207 to 100 000+ cases. Evidence that socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with poorer survival was demonstrated in eight of 12 studies. Evidence of effect on late stage at presentation was demonstrated in two of seven studies. Area-level measures were commonly used to assess socioeconomic status, with varying indices utilized.

CONCLUSION

There is limited evidence that socioeconomic status is associated with late-stage at presentation. More studies provide evidence of an association between socioeconomic disadvantage and poorer survival, especially larger studies utilizing less clinically-detailed cancer registry data. Further investigation is required to analyse why socioeconomic disadvantage may be associated with poorer survival.

The association between sociodemographic factors and time to diagnosis for colorectal cancer in northern Sweden

OBJECTIVES

This study examined whether sociodemographic factors, including distance to hospital, were associated with differences in the diagnostic interval and the treatment interval for colorectal cancer in northern Sweden.

METHODS

Data were retrieved from the Swedish cancer register on patients (n = 446) diagnosed in three northern regions during 2017-2018, then linked to data from Statistics Sweden and medical records. Also, Google maps was used to map the distance between patients' place of residence and nearest hospital. The different time intervals were analysed using Mann-Whitney U-test and Cox regression.

RESULTS

Differences in time to diagnosis were found between groups for income and distance to hospital, favouring those with higher income and shorter distance. The unadjusted regression analysis showed higher income to be associated with more rapid diagnosis (HR 1.004, CI 1.001-1.007). This association remained in the fully adjusted model for income (HR 1.004, CI 1.000-1.008), but not for distance. No differences between sociodemographic groups were found in the treatment interval.

CONCLUSION

Higher income and shorter distance to hospital were in the unadjusted models associated with shorter time to diagnosis for patients with CRC in northern Sweden. The association remained for income when adjusting for other variables even though the difference was small.

Determinants of emergency presentation in patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Colorectal cancer remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, even despite curative treatment. A significant proportion of patients present emergently and have poorer outcomes compared to elective presentations, independent of TNM stage. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, differences between elective/emergency presentations of colorectal cancer were examined to determine which factors were associated with emergency presentation. A literature search was carried out from 1990 to 2018 comparing elective and emergency presentations of colon and/or rectal cancer. All reported clinicopathological variables were extracted from identified studies. Variables were analysed through either systematic review or, if appropriate, meta-analysis. This study identified multiple differences between elective and emergency presentations of colorectal cancer. On meta-analysis, emergency presentations were associated with more advanced tumour stage, both overall (OR 2.05) and T/N/M/ subclassification (OR 2.56/1.59/1.75), more: lymphovascular invasion (OR 1.76), vascular invasion (OR 1.92), perineural invasion (OR 1.89), and ASA (OR 1.83). Emergencies were more likely to be of ethnic minority (OR 1.58). There are multiple tumour/host factors that differ between elective and emergency presentations of colorectal cancer. Further work is required to determine which of these factors are independently associated with emergency presentation and subsequently which factors have the most significant effect on outcomes.

Effects of deprivation and age on staging of breast, colon, rectum and prostate cancer in Umbria region, Italy: a multilevel approach

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosis of breast, colon, rectum and prostate cancers improves health outcomes. Low socioeconomic status (SES) is related to advanced stages at diagnosis; inequalities could explain differences in outcomes by age. The influence of SES, age and residence area on staging was explored in the Umbrian population.

METHODS

2001-2010 cases were geo-coded by census tract of residence. Stage distribution or Gleason score were analyzed by multilevel multinomial logistic regression with age and SES as the fixed effects and census tract as the random-effect.

RESULTS

For breast and colorectal cancers, the screening age class was advantaged. For breast, age effect was modulated by deprivation and census tract. In the elderly, the richest were advantaged, the poorest disadvantaged; issues emerged for the young. For colon, age effect is modulated by census tract in early stages and deprivation in late stages. The elderly were disadvantaged; the young and the deprived had more stages IV. About rectum, age effect was modulated by deprivation in the late stages. The elderly were disadvantaged; the young and the deprived presented more stages IV. For prostate, age effect was modulated by deprivation and census tract. The intermediate age class was advantaged, the elderly disadvantaged.

CONCLUSION

Age was not always the determinant of a delayed staging when SES was considered. For breast and colorectal cancers, issues of delayed diagnosis emerged in the young. If the care center was near the residence, the census tract modified the stage at diagnosis. These results are useful to reduce SES barriers by specific programs adapted to the age of the patient and area of residence.

Factors Explaining Socio-Economic Inequalities in Survival from Colon Cancer: A Causal Mediation Analysis

BACKGROUND

Socio-economic inequalities in colon cancer survival exist in high-income countries, but the reasons are unclear. We assessed the mediating effects of stage at diagnosis, comorbidities, and treatment (surgery and intravenous chemotherapy) on survival from colon cancer.

METHODS

We identified 2,203 people aged 15 to 79 years with first primary colon cancer diagnosed in Victoria, Australia, between 2008 and 2011. Colon cancer cases were identified through the Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR), and clinical information was obtained from hospital records. Deaths till December 31, 2016 (n = 807), were identified from Victorian and national death registries. Socio-economic disadvantage was based on residential address at diagnosis. For stage III disease, we decomposed its total effect into direct and indirect effects using interventional mediation analysis.

RESULTS

Socio-economic inequalities in colon cancer survival were not explained by stage and were greater for men than women. For men with stage III disease, there were 161 [95% confidence interval (CI), 67-256] additional deaths per 1,000 cases in the 5 years following diagnosis for the most disadvantaged compared with the least disadvantaged. The indirect effects through comorbidities and intravenous chemotherapy explained 6 (95% CI, -10-21) and 15 (95% CI, -14-44) per 1,000 of these additional deaths, respectively. Surgery did not explain the observed gap in survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Disadvantaged men have lower survival from stage III colon cancer that is only modestly explained by having comorbidities or not receiving chemotherapy after surgery.

IMPACT

Future studies should investigate the potential mediating role of factors occurring beyond the first year following diagnosis, such as compliance with surveillance for recurrence and supportive care services.

The effect of socioeconomic deprivation on presentation stage and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer resection in Western Sydney

BACKGROUND

While socioeconomic deprivation has been shown to affect survival in colorectal cancer, other factors such as global region of birth and ethnicity also exert an effect. We wished to ascertain the influence of socioeconomic deprivation on stage of presentation and cancer survival in an ethnically diverse Australian population.

METHODS

Cases from a database of resections in Western Sydney (n = 1596) were stratified into cohorts of socioeconomic quintiles. Univariate analysis was used to compare demographics, AJCC stage and histopathological details between the least and most socioeconomically deprived groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank testing were used to compare cancer-specific and all-cause 5-year survival between the most deprived quintile and all others, after case-control matching for age and overseas birth.

RESULTS

A total of 322 (20.2%) patients from the most socioeconomically deprived centile, and 275 (17.2%) from the least were compared. The most deprived were significantly more likely to be aged under 70 (54.1% vs. 44.4%, p = 0.019), born overseas (54.3% vs. 38.6%, p = 0.003), present with stage III disease (37.4% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.005), perforated (12.5% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.005) or circumferential tumours (37% vs. 24.3%, p = 0.043). There was no significant difference in proportions presenting with metastatic disease, or 5-year survival between the most deprived quintile and all others after correction for age and foreign birth.

CONCLUSIONS

Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with unfavourable colorectal cancer presentation stage but not poorer 5-year survival in our Western Sydney population. The reasons for this are unclear and demand further attention.

Anal cancer survival: a socioeconomic analysis

INTRODUCTION

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common variant of anal malignancy. Certain disease-related factors have been established in determining survival. These include tumour size, differentiation and nodal involvement. Other factors such as HIV status, human papillomavirus infection, smoking and socioeconomic disparity may have important roles, however few data are available on the UK population. We aim to correlate social deprivation and survival of anal cancer patients at a tertiary centre.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All consecutive cases diagnosed with anal squamous cell carcinoma and treated as per local protocol between July 2010 and April 2017 were included. The pathological and demographical details were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Socioeconomic deprivation was defined for each postcode using the Index of Multiple Deprivation decile compiled by local governments in England. Survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression was used to investigate the effect of different factors on overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 129 patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma over a median follow-up of 43 months were included. Overall survival for the entire patient cohort was 87.7% (95% confidence interval, CI, 82.0-93.7%), 75.5% (95% CI 67.5-84.5%) and 68.9% (95% CI 59.7-79.6%) at one year, three years and five years, respectively. On multivariate analysis, Index of Multiple Deprivation and income do not significantly influence overall survival (p = 0.79, hazard ratio, HR, 1.07; 95% CI 0.61-1.63), (p = 0.99, HR=1.00; 95% CI 0.61-1.63), respectively. Increased risk of death was observed for male sex (p = 0.02, HR=2.80; 95% CI 1.02-5.50) and larger tumour size (p = 0.01, HR=1.64; 95% CI 1.12-2.41).

CONCLUSION

In contrast to US studies, there is little difference in survival between the least deprived and most deprived groups. We attribute this to equal access to intensity-modulated radiation therapy-based chemoradiotherapy. Thus, a highly effective treatment made available to all mitigates any survival difference between socioeconomic groups.

Spatial Variation of Survival for Colorectal Cancer in Malaysia

A patient's survival may depend on several known and unknown factors and it may also vary spatially across a region. Socioeconomic status, accessibility to healthcare and other environmental factors are likely to contribute to survival rates. The aim of the study was to model the spatial variation in survival for colorectal cancer patients in Malaysia, accounting for individual and socioeconomic risk factors. We conducted a retrospective study of 4412 colorectal cancer (ICD-10, C18-C20) patients diagnosed from 2008 to 2013 to model survival in CRC patients. We used the data recorded in the database of the Malaysian National Cancer Patient Registry-Colorectal Cancer (NCPR-CRC). Spatial location was assigned based on the patients' central district location, which involves 144 administrative districts of Malaysia. We fitted a parametric proportional hazards model in which the spatially correlated frailties were modelled by a log-Gaussian stochastic process to analyse the spatially referenced survival data, which is also known as a spatial survival model. After controlling for individual and area level characteristics, our findings indicate wide spatial variation in colorectal cancer survival across Malaysia. Better healthcare provision and higher socioeconomic index in the districts where patients live decreased the risk of death from colorectal cancer, but these associations were not statistically significant. Reliable measurement of environmental factors is needed to provide good insight into the effects of potential risk factors for the disease. For example, a better metric is needed to measure socioeconomic status and accessibility to healthcare in the country. The findings provide new information that might be of use to the Ministry of Health in identifying populations with an increased risk of poor survival, and for planning and providing cancer control services.

Social determinants of colorectal cancer risk, stage, and survival: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Several social determinants of health have been examined in relation to colorectal cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, and survival including income, education, neighborhood disadvantage, immigration status, social support, and social network. Colorectal cancer incidence rates are positively associated with income and other measures of socioeconomic status. In contrast, low socioeconomic status tends to be associated with poorer survival.

METHODS

The present review is based upon bibliographic searches in PubMed and CINAHL and relevant search terms. Articles published in English from 1970 through April 1, 2019 were identified using the following MeSH search terms and Boolean algebra commands: colorectal cancer AND (incidence OR stage OR mortality) AND (social determinants OR neighborhood disadvantage OR racial discrimination OR immigration OR social support).

RESULTS

This review indicates that poverty, lack of education, immigration status, lack of social support, and social isolation play important roles in colorectal cancer stage at diagnosis and survival.

CONCLUSIONS

To address social determinants of colorectal cancer, effective interventions are needed that account for the social contexts in which patients live.

Area-Based Socioeconomic Inequalities in Colorectal Cancer Survival in Germany: Investigation Based on Population-Based Clinical Cancer Registration

Background: Socioeconomic inequalities in colorectal cancer survival have been observed in many countries. To overcome these inequalities, the underlying reasons must be disclosed.

Methods: Using data from three population-based clinical cancer registries in Germany, we investigated whether associations between area-based socioeconomic deprivation and survival after colorectal cancer depended on patient-, tumor- or treatment-related factors. Patients with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer in 2000–2015 were assigned to one of five deprivation groups according to the municipality of the place of residence using the German Index of Multiple Deprivation. Cox proportional hazards regression models with various levels of adjustment and stratifications were applied.

Results: Among 38,130 patients, overall 5-year survival was 4.8% units lower in the most compared to the least deprived areas. Survival disparities were strongest in younger patients, in rectal cancer patients, in stage I cancer, in the latest period, and with longer follow-up. Disparities persisted after adjustment for stage, utilization of surgery and screening colonoscopy uptake rates. They were mostly still present when restricting to patients receiving treatment according to guidelines.

Conclusion: We observed socioeconomic inequalities in colorectal cancer survival in Germany. Further studies accounting for potential differences in non-cancer mortality and exploring treatment patterns in detail are needed.

Are social inequalities in acute myeloid leukemia survival explained by differences in treatment utilization? Results from a French longitudinal observational study among older patients

Background

Evidences support social inequalities in cancer survival. Studies on hematological malignancies, and more specifically Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), are sparser. Our study assessed: 1/ the influence of patients’ socioeconomic position on survival, 2/ the role of treatment in this relationship, and 3/ the influence of patients’ socioeconomic position on treatment utilization.

Methods

This prospective multicenter study includes all patients aged 60 and older, newly diagnosed with AML, excluding promyelocytic subtypes, between 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2014 in the South-West of France. Data came from medical files. Patients’ socioeconomic position was measured by an ecological deprivation index, the European Deprivation Index. We studied first, patients’ socioeconomic position influence on overall survival (n = 592), second, on the use of intensive chemotherapy (n = 592), and third, on the use of low intensive treatment versus best supportive care among patients judged unfit for intensive chemotherapy (n = 405).

Results

We found an influence of patients’ socioeconomic position on survival (highest versus lowest position HR_Q5: 1.39 [1.05;1.87] that was downsized to become no more significant after adjustment for AML ontogeny (HR_Q5: 1.31[0.97;1.76] and cytogenetic prognosis HR_Q5: 1.30[0.97;1.75]). The treatment was strongly associated with survival. A lower proportion of intensive chemotherapy was observed among patients with lowest socioeconomic position (OR_Q5: 0.41[0.19;0.90]) which did not persist after adjustment for AML ontogeny (OR_Q5: 0.59[0.25;1.40]). No such influence of patients’ socioeconomic position was found on the treatment allocation among patients judged unfit for intensive chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Finally, these results suggest an indirect influence of patients’ socioeconomic position on survival through AML initial presentation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-6093-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Determination of effective factors on geographic distribution of the incidence of colorectal cancer in Tehran using geographically weighted Poisson regression model

Background: This study aimed to determine effective factors on geographic distribution of the Incidence of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) in Tehran, Iran using Geographically Weighted Poisson Regression Model. Methods: This ecological study was carried out at neighborhood level of Tehran in 2017-2018. Data for CRC incidence was extracted from the population-based cancer registry data of Iran. The socioeconomic variables, risk factors and health costs were extracted from the Urban HEART Study in Tehran. Geographically weighted Poisson regression model was used for determination of the association between these variables with CRC incidence. GWR 4, Stata 14 and ArcGIS 10.3 software systems were used for statistical analysis. Results: The total number of incident CRC cases were 2815 in Tehran from 2008 to 2011, of whom, 2491 cases were successfully geocoded to the neighborhood. The median IRR for local variables were : unemployed people over 15 year old (median IRR: 1.17), women aged 17 years or older with university education (median IRR: 1.17), women head of household (median IRR: 1.06), people without insurance coverage (median IRR: 1.10), households without daily consumption of milk (median IRR: 0.85), smoking households (median IRR: 1.07), household's health expenditure (median IRR: 1.39), disease diagnosis costs (median IRR: 1.03), medicines costs of households (median IRR: 1.05), cost of the hospital (median IRR: 1.09), cost of medical visits (median IRR: 1.27). Conclusion: The spatial variability was observed for most socioeconomic variables, risk factors and health costs that had effects on CRC incidence in Tehran. Spatial variability is necessary when interpreting the results and utterly helpful for implementation of prevention programs.

Overexpression of mRNA-decapping enzyme 1a affects survival rate in colorectal carcinoma

Processing bodies (P-bodies) are one of the most well understood types of RNA granules, and are associated with a variety of diseases, including cancer. mRNA-decapping enzyme 1a (DCP1a), which may be used as a marker to analyze P-bodies, participates in the removal of the 5'-methylguanosine cap from eukaryotic mRNAs as a cofactor. The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between DCP1a expression and clinical features in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The levels of DCP1a mRNA expression were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay in carcinoma and non-carcinoma tissues from 75 patients, while the protein expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Additional associations between DCP1a expression and clinical characteristics were analyzed by χ² test and Cox regression analysis. In the 75 cases, the levels of DCP1a mRNA and protein expression were increased in colorectal carcinoma tissues compared with non-carcinoma tissues. A high expression of DCP1a was significantly associated with lower survival rates in patients with CRC compared with patients with low DCP1a expression (P=0.001). Associations with depth of invasion (P=0.008), lymph node metastasis (P=0.001) and tumor node metastasis stage (P=0.001) were also observed. Additional Cox regression analysis revealed that the DCP1a expression (P=0.012) is an independent factor in survival rate. It was also identified that DCP1a may have high expression in colorectal carcinoma tissues and be associated with poor prognosis. This suggests that DCP1a may be a diagnostic marker or prognostic indicator to assist with patient assessments and therapies.

Systematic review of the influence of socioeconomic deprivation on mortality after colorectal surgery

Background

Socioeconomic deprivation is a potentially important factor influencing surgical outcomes. This systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence for any association between socioeconomic group and mortality after colorectal surgery, and to report the definitions of deprivation used and the approaches taken to adjust for co-morbidity in this patient population.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched for studies up to November 2016 on adult patients undergoing major colorectal surgery, which reported on mortality according to socioeconomic group. Risk of bias and study quality were assessed by extracting data relating to study size, and variations in inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality was assessed using a modification of a previously described assessment tool.

Results

The literature search identified 59 studies published between 1993 and 2016, reporting on 2 698 403 patients from eight countries. Overall findings showed evidence for higher mortality in more deprived socioeconomic groups, both in the perioperative period and in the longer term. Studies differed in how they defined socioeconomic groups, but the most common approach was to use one of a selection of multifactorial indices based on small geographical areas. There was no consistent approach to adjusting for co-morbidity but, where this was considered, the Charlson Co-morbidity Index was most frequently used.

Conclusion

This systematic review suggests that socioeconomic deprivation influences mortality after colorectal surgery.

Impact of socio-economic position on cancer stage at presentation: Findings from a large hospital-based study in Germany

We explored the relationship between socio-economic characteristics and cancer stage at presentation. Patients admitted to a university hospital for diagnosis and treatment of cancer provided data on their education, vocational training, income, employment, job, health insurance and postcode. Tumor stage was classified according to the Union International Contre le Cancer (UICC). To analyze disparities in the likelihood of late-stage (UICC III/IV vs. I/II) diagnoses, logistic regression models adjusting for age and gender were used. Out of 1,012 patients, 572 (59%) had late-stage cancer. Separately tested, increased odds of advanced disease were associated with post-compulsory education compared to college degrees, with apprenticeship and no vocational training, with unemployment, disability pension, jobs with a low hierarchy level, blue collar jobs and with low income. Health insurance and community size were not related with late-stage cancer. Jointly modelled, there was evidence for an independent effect of unemployment (odds ratio (OR) 1.7, CI 1.0-2.8), disability pension (OR 1.8, CI 1.0-3.2) and very low income (OR 2.6, CI 1.1-6.1) on the likelihood of advanced disease stage. It is of great concern that these socio-economic gradients occur even in systems with equal access to health care.

Differences in Breast Cancer Survival between Public and Private Care in New Zealand: Which Factors Contribute?

Background

Patients who received private health care appear to have better survival from breast cancer compared to those who received public care. This study investigated if this applied to New Zealand women and identified factors that could explain such disparities.

Methods

This study involved all women who were diagnosed with primary breast cancer in two health regions in New Zealand, covering about 40% of the national population, between June 2000 and May 2013. Patients who received public care for primary treatment, mostly surgical treatment, were compared with those who received private care in terms of demographics, mode of presentation, disease factors, comorbidity index and treatment factors. Cox regression modelling was performed with stepwise adjustments, and hazards of breast cancer specific mortality associated with the type of health care received was assessed.

Results

Of the 14,468 patients, 8,916 (61.6%) received public care. Compared to patients treated in private care facilities, they were older, more likely to be Māori, Pacifika or Asian and to reside in deprived neighbourhoods and rural areas, and less likely to be diagnosed with early staged cancer and to receive timely cancer treatments. They had a higher risk of mortality from breast cancer (hazard ratio: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.75, 2.17), of which 80% (95% CI: 63%, 100%) was explained by baseline differences, particularly related to ethnicity, stage at diagnosis and type of loco-regional therapy. After controlling for these demographic, disease and treatment factors, the risk of mortality was still 14% higher in the public sector patients.

Conclusions

Ethnicity, stage at diagnosis and type of loco-regional therapy were the three key contributors to survival disparities between patients treated in public and private health care facilities in New Zealand. The findings underscore the need for more efforts to improve the quality, timeliness and equitability of public cancer care services.