Differences in Cervical Cancer Outcomes by Caribbean Nativity in Black and White Women in Florida

Abstract

Objective Racial disparities among women with cervical cancer have been reported but are understudied in Caribbean immigrants. The objective of this study is to describe the disparities in clinical presentation and outcomes between Caribbean-born (CB) and US-born (USB) women with cervical cancer by race and nativity. Methods An analysis of the Florida Cancer Data Service (FCDS), the statewide cancer registry, was performed to identify women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer between 1981 and 2016. Women were classified as USB White or Black and CB White or Black. Clinical data were abstracted. Analyses were done using chi square, ANOVA, Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models, with significance set at P < .05. Results 14 932 women were included in the analysis. USB Black women had the lowest mean age at diagnosis, while CB Black women were diagnosed at later stages of disease. USB White women and CB White women had better OS (median OS 70.4 and 71.5 months, respectively) than USB Black and CB Black women (median OS 42.4 and 63.8 months, respectively) ( P < .0001). In multivariable analysis, relative to USB Black women, CB Blacks (HR .67, CI .54–.83), and CB White (HR .66, CI .55–.79) had better odds of OS. White race among USB women was not significantly associated with improved survival ( P = .087). Conclusion Race alone is not a determinant of cancer mortality in women with cervical cancer. Understanding the impact of nativity on cancer outcomes is crucial to improve health outcomes.