A comparison of stage of presentation for pancreatic and colorectal cancer in Pennsylvania 2000-2005.
BACKGROUND
The goal of this study was to examine how rurality, socioeconomic status (SES) and access to medical care are related to the stage at presentation of patients with colorectal (CRC) and pancreatic cancer (PC) in Pennsylvania.


METHODS
Incident CRC and PC cases were identified from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Demographic, SES, and access variables were collected at the county level.


RESULTS
Increased urbanization, younger age, and male gender were shown to be significantly related to later stage at diagnosis for PC. Age and education level were significant predictors of the rate of PC, while age, education level, insurance status, rurality, and the ratio of oncologists to primary care physicians were significant predictors of the rate of CRC.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on county-level data, urban residence, younger age, and male gender were shown to be predictors of later stage at diagnosis for PC. These findings should help guide further research into factors that may be important predictors of later stage of diagnosis.
Chirumbole
Mark
M
Department of Public Health Science, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA. Mark.chirumbole@eds.com
Gusani
Niraj
N
Howard
Alicia
A
Leonard
Tim
T
Lewis
Peter
P
Muscat
Josh
J
D000367:Age Factors; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data