A multidimensional view of racial differences in access to prostate cancer care.

Abstract

e18048 Background: Racial differences in prostate cancer treatment and outcomes are widespread and poorly understood. We sought to determine whether access to care, measured across multiple dimensions, contribute to racial differences in prostate cancer. Methods: The Philadelphia Area Prostate Cancer Access Study (P2 Access) included 2374 men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer from 2012 to 2014. Patient survey data was used to determine experiences of accessing prostate cancer care (response rate 51.1%). An audit survey using simulated patient calls was used to determine appointment availability and wait times at 151 urology practices. Patient and practice addresses were geocoded to construct distance measures. We used multivariable logistic regression models to determine the association between five different domains of access—availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability—and receipt of definitive treatment with radical prostatectomy or radiation, satisfaction with care, and doctor-patient communication. Results: There were 1907 non-Hispanic white and 394 black men in our cohort, the majority (71%) with stage 1 disease. Overall, 85% of men received definitive treatment with no differences by race. None of the access domains were significantly associated with definitive treatment overall or with radical prostatectomy in adjusted models. Black men were less likely to report good doctor-patient communication (60% vs 71%, p < 0.001) and high satisfaction with their care (69% vs 81%, p < 0.001). Communication ratings remained significantly lower among black men compared to white men in adjusted models (odds ratio = 1.49, 95% Confidence Interval 1.03, 2.16). Each domain of access was significantly associated with lower satisfaction with care and worse communication; however, differences in access did not mediate racial disparities for these measures. Conclusions: This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of access to prostate cancer care, showing that while access was related to overall satisfaction and better doctor-patient communication, it did not appear to explain racial differences in these measures of cancer care.