Colorectal cancer incidence, mortality, stage at diagnosis, and treatment patterns among whites and African Americans in North Carolina

QUAM SCHS Studies A Publication of the State Center for Health Statistics 1908 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1908 (919) 733-4728 • www.schs.state.nc.us/SCHS No. 161 February 2010 Colorectal Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Stage at Diagnosis, and Treatment Patterns among Whites and African Americans in North Carolina by Sohrab АН, MPH, MIS, MA, Statistician Seth Tyree, MA, Epidemiologist Abstract Objectives: This study examines colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, as well as stage at diagnosis and treatment patterns among whites and African Americans in North Carolina. Methods: Data from the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry (CCR) on new colorectal cancer cases were used to examine the racial differences in incidence, stage at diagnosis, and treatment. Data on colorectal cancer deaths were obtained from the Vital Statistics unit of the State Center for Health Statistics. Data from the North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used to examine screening behavior, smoking, diet, exercise, and obesity. Results: The age-adjusted colorectal cancer incidence rates and mortality rates for African Americans are substantially higher than those for whites. Mortality is higher when colorectal cancer is diagnosed at a later stage for both whites and African Americans, and African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with distant stage colorectal cancer compared to whites. African Americans were somewhat less likely to receive surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. Colorectal cancer mortality rates for both whites and African Americans have been declining in recent years. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that racial disparities in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates persist in North Carolina. African Americans are less likely to receive appropriate screening and less likely to engage in behaviors that reduce the risk of developing or dying from colorectal cancer. nr department of health and human services STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health North Carolina Public Health