Black patients with ovarian cancer received lower quality end-of-life care compared to White patients, according to a study led by Anna Jo Smith, MD, MPH, of Johns Hopkins Medicine. The research, published in Supportive Care in Cancer, analyzed data from 1999 to 2016 for over 8,000 women aged 66 and older with ovarian cancer.
The study found that Black patients were less likely to receive hospice care and more likely to experience intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and invasive procedures in the last month of life. Specifically, 39.5% of Black patients received hospice care compared to 45.8% of White patients. Additionally, 17.3% of Black patients had ICU admissions versus 12.8% of White patients.
Dr. Smith emphasized the need to address these disparities, stating, “Our findings suggest that Black patients with ovarian cancer may not be receiving adequate access to high-quality end-of-life care. It is crucial that we work to ensure equitable access to supportive services for all patients, regardless of race.”
The study highlights the ongoing issue of racial disparities in healthcare and the importance of addressing these inequities to improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to identify the underlying causes of these disparities and develop targeted interventions to promote equal access to quality end-of-life care for all patients with ovarian cancer.
See “Black Patients With Ovarian Cancer Had Lower-Quality End-of-Life Care” (April 21, 2024)
