Abstract A79: Socioeconomic status, health care density, and risk of prostate cancer among African-American men in a large prospective study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Given the large racial differences in prostate cancer risk, further investigation of socioeconomic (SES) indicators at the individual and community level is warranted among high-risk groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between neighborhood deprivation, healthcare facilities, and prostate cancer risk among African-American men. Methods: In the large, prospective NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, we analyzed baseline (1995–1996) data from African-American participants, ages 50–71 years. Incident prostate cancer cases (n=1,089) were identified through December 2006. Life-style and health risk information was ascertained by questionnaires administered at baseline. Area-level socioeconomic indicators were ascertained by linkage to the US Census and the Area Resource File. Multilevel survival models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among African-American men, no associations were observed between area-level factors and development of nonadvanced prostate cancer. Compared to African-American men living in counties with the highest density of radiologists, those in the middle tertile had the highest risks of advanced prostate cancer (HR=2.88, 95% CI=1.61-5.18), however, no significant trend was found (Ptrend=0.08). Certain socioeconomic (SES) indicators were positively associated with prostate cancer risk among African-American men. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A79.