Source of care, treatment history, and resource use in white (W) and non-white (NW) men with prostate cancer (PC): Results from a US survey

Methods: Data from the 2010 National Health and Wellness Survey, an internet-based annual cross-sectional survey, were used to examine self-reported measures for White versus Non-white men with prostate cancer (PC). Men aged ≥18 years with self-reported PC were stratified by race/ethnicity and bivariate analyses performed. Results: Analyses included 969 men with PC (877 W and 92 NW; age=69.9 versus 62.3 years, respectively, p<0.001). Similar proportions in both groups had emergency room visits, hospitalizations, or traditional healthcare provider (HCP) visits in the past 6 months (all Ps>0.05); however, groups differed for mean number of hospitalizations (0.24 W, 0.45 NW; p=0.031). While more White men visited general/family practitioners (72% W, 61% NW; p=0.020), Non-white men had a higher mean number of these visits in the past 6 months (1.93 W, 2.95 NW; p=0.006). Groups were similar for the proportion visiting oncologists or urologists (both Ps>0.05); however, mean number of urologist visits were different (1.69 W, 2.54 NW; p=0.007). More Non-white men were diagnosed in the past year (13% W, 22% NW; p=0.049), received their PC diagnosis from general practitioner/primary care physician/internist (9% W, 18% NW; p=0.019), and experienced cancer symptoms before speaking to a HCP (4% W, 12% NW; p=0.001). Groups were similar in treatments received (surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, cryotherapy; all Ps>0.05) except chemotherapy (3% W, 9% NW; p=0.002). Conclusions: A higher proportion of Non-white men with PC received their PC diagnosis from a general practitioner, experienced cancer symptoms before speaking to a HCP, and received chemotherapy versus White men.