Monitoring Cancer Outcomes Across the Continuum: Data Synthesis and Analysis for the District of Columbia

Abstract

This article synthesizes and analyzes available data regarding cancer-related outcomes among District of Columbia residents, highlighting key findings and data gaps across the continuum of cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes and noting variability across subgroups of District residents. Data sources used in this report include the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the National Cancer Database, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database, and the American Community Survey. The findings reveal disparities in cancer-related outcomes between black and white District residents across the continuum. First, black District residents are more likely than white residents to be uninsured. Lack of insurance is associated with lower rates of routine cancer screening among asymptomatic patients and may delay care for patients experiencing early symptoms of cancer. In addition, the rate of smoking is significantly higher, and the rate of exercise is significantly lower, among black District residents than among white residents, placing black residents at higher risk of the most common cancers. Limitations in general access to health care, in primary and secondary prevention, and in access to cancer-related treatment all likely contribute to dramatically higher cancer incidence and mortality among black residents of the District than among white residents.