Differential Colon Cancer Survival by Ethnicity in NZ

Description

Differential Colon Cancer Survival by Ethnicity in NZ is one of eight projects in the Health Inequalities Research Programme.

The long-term research objectives of the Health Inequalities Research Programme all relate to the central theme of providing information to influence and support policies and programmes that will reduce inequalities in health. For further information, see http://www.uow.otago.ac.nz/academic/dph/research/HIRP/overview.html#coloncancer

Recent research suggests that Māori have worse survival rates from cancer (including colon cancer) compared with non-Māori. Moreover, this difference appears at least partly due to factors occurring after diagnosis.

The main objectives of this study were to 1) assess the extent to which survival from colon cancer varies between Māori and non-Māori independently of stage at diagnosis and 2) to identify post-diagnosis factors contributing to this inequality, including differences in treatment and follow-up.

642 New Zealanders with colon cancer were identified from the cancer registry. Information was obtained about their cancer and treatment from health care records, pathology records, and the national mortality database.

The results of this study are currently in the process of being published and disseminated more generally. The main findings were that: Maori patients have significantly poorer survival from colon cancer compared with non-maori patients (HR 1.33); Greater comorbidity levels and differences in health care access are both important mediators of worse survival in Maori (each accounts for ~ 1/3 of the total disparity).

Status

Completed

Location

National

Dissemination

The results of this study are currently being published and disseminated.

Funders

Cancer Society of New Zealand

Researchers

Diana Sarfati
Sarah Hill
Tony Blakely
Donna Cormack
Elizabeth Dennett
Kevin Dew
Gordon L. Purdie
Bridget Robson

Research Abstracts

Survival disparities in Indigenous and non-Indigenous New Zealanders with colon cancer: The role of patient comorbidity, treatment and health service factors

Ethnicity and management of colon cancer in New Zealand: Do indigenous patients get a worse deal?