Abstract C124: Identifying cancer disparities in the University of Chicago catchment area

Abstract (a) Cancer statistics are vital for helping doctors and researchers track cancer cases and use the data to find trends in various populations and patterns of occurrences, and make important public health decisions on where to direct funding, screening programs, and other steps to take in high-rate areas. This data can also tell doctors and researchers how effective some treatments are, based on the rise or fall in incidence and mortality rates, and can also help them pinpoint areas that need more attention. (b) Disparities in cancer incidence and mortality have not been described for the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center’s (UCCCC) patient catchment area (CA), the region from which the center draws its patients. This research aimed to describe incidence and mortality rates (2013-2017) for leading cancers in the CA, which consists of Cook County, IL; DuPage County, IL; Lake County, IL; Will County, IL; and Lake County, IN. Age-adjusted rates (per 100,000) were calculated for leading cancers by sex for each county, the CA, U.S., and IL. Racial disparities were also examined by comparing Black rates to White rates. (c) Incidence rates were higher in the CA compared to the U.S for all cancers data was available for: all sites combined, breast, and prostate. For males, mortality rates of prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, and stomach cancers were higher in the CA compared to the U.S. For females, mortality rates of breast, colorectal, myeloma, uterine, stomach, and bladder cancers, as well as all sites combined were higher in the CA compared to the U.S. By county, males experienced incidence rates of 8% to nearly 2.5 times higher and mortality rates 3% to over 1.5 times higher compared to the U.S. for various cancers. By county, females experienced incidence rates 5% to over 4 times higher and mortality rates 4% to over 1.5 times higher compared to the U.S. for various cancers. Lake County, IN generally had the highest incidence and mortality rates. Racial disparities in incidence and mortality were present for most cancers in the CA overall and by county. For males, racial disparities in mortality for prostate, stomach, and larynx are of greatest concern. For females, racial disparities in mortality for myeloma, cervical, and uterine are of greatest concern. (d) This research highlights important health inequities and priorities for the UCCC to reduce these disparities in the areas of cancer risk, prevention, and treatment. Citation Format: Joel Ssepuuya, Stephanie Zhang, Kelsey Meador, Lizeth Tamayo, Brandon Pierce. Identifying cancer disparities in the University of Chicago catchment area [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr C124.