Survival by race and ethnicity among insured patients with early-onset colorectal cancer.

Abstract

18 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality have decreased in the United States over the past 3 decades, but the incidence is increasing in those <50 years of age (i.e., early-onset CRC). Studies have examined racial and ethnic differences in CRC incidence in this age group, but little is known about differences in survival. Examining survival by race and ethnicity among patients with early-onset CRC may provide insights about differences in risk factors, access to care, and treatment. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plan members 18-49 years of age and diagnosed with CRC between 2006-2019. Race and ethnicity were self-reported as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, or White. 5-year survival probability was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Cox regression with adjustment was used to evaluate associations between race and ethnicity and 5-year survival. Results: Of 1620 patients, median age was 45.4 years, 47% were female, 20% were Asian/Pacific Islander, 8% Black, 22% Hispanic, and 50% non-Hispanic White persons. Adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities, Hispanic persons had a higher risk of death at 5 years compared to White persons (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-1.83) (Table). Sequentially adding annual household income and neighborhood deprivation index had no impact on the association; adding tumor stage decreased the HR to 1.14 (0.87-1.49) and adding tumor and treatment factors decreased the HR to 1.08 (0.82-1.42). Risk of death among Asian/Pacific Islander and Black patients did not differ from White patients. Conclusions: Among insured patients with early-onset CRC, Hispanic patients had a higher risk of death at 5 years than patients of White race. The higher risk was associated with differences in tumor stage at diagnosis, tumor factors, and treatment factors. Targeted interventions to improve CRC symptom awareness and remove barriers to CRC diagnosis and treatment among vulnerable populations may be needed to eliminate disparities in early-onset CRC survival. [Table: see text]