Impact of racial disparities on potential years of life lost due to gynecologic cancer in the United States: Trends from 1975 to 2017 based on SEER database.

INTRODUCTION

We assessed potential years of life lost (PYLL) in women secondary to gynecologic cancers (cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal, vulvar, and other) in the United States from 1975 to 2017 using SEER database. We also highlight racial disparities and economic costs of mortality from gynecologic malignancies.

METHODS

PYLL up to and including age 75 years were calculated [75 - (age at diagnosis + overall survival)] after stratifying for tumor site. Subgroup comparison was done using nonparametric method Kruskal-Wallis H with post-hoc analysis. Linear regression model was used to calculate every five-year incremental trends. Productivity losses were calculated using mortality data multiplied by age-adjusted estimated total lifetime productivity.

RESULTS

Total 304,995 patients were included with 1,472,152.67 PYLL from 1975 to 2017. Median PYLL for cervical cancer (12.58 years) was higher than other gynecologic malignancies (0.83, 6.00, 0.67 and - 0.25 years respectively for uterine, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar cancers). The median PYLL for Non-Hispanic White (NHW) population was lower than women from other racial groups for uterine, ovarian and vulvar cancers. From 1975 to 2017, median PYLL trend in the entire cohort showed a steady increment (p < 0.001, B1 = 1.65 years). Most rapid rise was noted in cervical cancer (p < 0.001, B1 = 2.68 years) and Hispanic population (p < 0.001, B1 = 1.92). Total productivity loss was $79 billion during 1975-2017 with maximum loss seen in uterine cancer and NHW population.

CONCLUSION

Ours is the first study to analyze PYLL in gynecologic malignancies and estimate productivity losses due to premature deaths. Data shows a clear trend pointing towards racial and ethnic disparities.