Unveiling disparities: Metastatic lung cancer incidence across income strata in metropolitan residencies.

Abstract

e20616 Background: Over recent years, there has been growing interest in the field of lung cancer. Great efforts have been invested in recent years to improve screening and mortality outcomes with respect to lung cancer, particularly metastatic lung cancer (mLC). In the dynamic landscape of metropolitan residencies (MR), this study delves into the impact of household income (HI) on the occurrence of mLC. Unraveling the intricacies of these disparities is crucial for advancing our understanding of healthcare access and outcomes in urban settings. Methods: Appropriating data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we looked at the incidence rates of mLC among adults aged 55-80 years by HI levels ( < $35,000, $45,000-49,999, $55,000-$59,999, $65,000-69,999 and $75,000+) in MR from 2004 to 2017. Age-adjusted rates were calculated, and joinpoint regression models were used to estimate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in incidence across different subgroups. Results: The study population included a total of 321,281 individuals diagnosed with mLC. The incidence of mLC declined rapidly from 2004 to 2017 across all HI groups in metropolitan residence; the AAPC for HIs $45,000-49,999 was -0.70%, $55,000-59,999 was -2.11%, $65,000-69,999 was -4.32% and $75,000+ was -3.72%. Of note, there was not enough data to characterize the trend for HIs < $35,000. Conclusions: Our study revealed an overall decline in the incidence of mLC since 2004 across all HI groups in MRs. Although the trend is one of diminution across all groups, there is however, still some differences in incidence rates amongst different HI groups. This study elucidates the vital role HI plays in influencing the landscape of mLC in metropolitan areas. Recognizing and addressing these disparities is crucial for developing comprehensive public health strategies aimed at reducing the burden of advanced lung cancer and promoting equal access to quality healthcare.