TY - JOUR
T1 - Global ovarian cancer health disparities
AU - Chornokur, Ganna
AU - Amankwah, Ernest K.
AU - Schildkraut, Joellen M.
AU - Phelan, Catherine M.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Nagi B. Kumar, Ms. Kyle Dalton and Mr. Richard Tanner for their insights on the contents of this manuscript. GC is supported by the Department of Defense W81XWH-11-1-0376 . EKA is supported by National Institute of Health (NIH) R25T CA147832 . Additional sources of funding include NIH R01-CA142081 and R01-CA76016 (JMS) ; R01 CA149429-01 and P20 MD003375-01 (CMP).
PY - 2013/4
Y1 - 2013/4
N2 - Objective The objective of this article is to broadly review the scientific literature and summarize the most up-to-date findings on ovarian cancer health disparities worldwide and in the United States (U.S.). Methods The present literature on disparities in ovarian cancer was reviewed. Original research and relevant review articles were included. Results Ovarian cancer health disparities exist worldwide and in the U.S. Ovarian cancer disproportionately affect African American women at all stages of the disease, from presentation through treatment, and ultimately increased mortality and decreased survival, compared to non-Hispanic White women. Increased mortality is likely to be explained by unequal access to care and non-standard treatment regimens frequently administered to African American women, but may also be attributed to genetic susceptibility, acquired co-morbid conditions and increased frequency of modifiable risk factors, albeit to substantially lesser extent. Unequal access to care is, in turn, largely a consequence of lower socioeconomic status and lack of private health insurance coverage among the African American population. Conclusions Our findings suggest the need for policy changes aimed at facilitating equal access to quality medical care. At the same time, further research is necessary to fully resolve racial disparities in ovarian cancer.
AB - Objective The objective of this article is to broadly review the scientific literature and summarize the most up-to-date findings on ovarian cancer health disparities worldwide and in the United States (U.S.). Methods The present literature on disparities in ovarian cancer was reviewed. Original research and relevant review articles were included. Results Ovarian cancer health disparities exist worldwide and in the U.S. Ovarian cancer disproportionately affect African American women at all stages of the disease, from presentation through treatment, and ultimately increased mortality and decreased survival, compared to non-Hispanic White women. Increased mortality is likely to be explained by unequal access to care and non-standard treatment regimens frequently administered to African American women, but may also be attributed to genetic susceptibility, acquired co-morbid conditions and increased frequency of modifiable risk factors, albeit to substantially lesser extent. Unequal access to care is, in turn, largely a consequence of lower socioeconomic status and lack of private health insurance coverage among the African American population. Conclusions Our findings suggest the need for policy changes aimed at facilitating equal access to quality medical care. At the same time, further research is necessary to fully resolve racial disparities in ovarian cancer.
KW - Health disparities
KW - Ovarian cancer
KW - Race
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.12.016
DO - 10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.12.016
M3 - Review article
C2 - 23266352
AN - SCOPUS:84875433896
SN - 0090-8258
VL - 129
SP - 258
EP - 264
JO - Gynecologic oncology
JF - Gynecologic oncology
IS - 1
ER -