Prostate cancer treatment among black, white patients during pandemic

What The Study Did:

This study included 647

patients with


untreated nonmetastatic prostate cancer (269 patients during the pandemic and 378 from before the pandemic). During the initial


COVID-19 lockdown, only 1% of Black men underwent


prostatectomy, while 26% of white patients did. Prior to the


pandemic, there was no difference in the rate of prostatectomy


between the two races (18% of Black men and 19% of white men). The lessons from this study suggest systemic inequities within health care and are likely applicable across medical specialties. Public health efforts are needed to fully recognize the unintended consequence of diversion of cancer resources to the COVID-19 pandemic to develop balanced mitigation strategies as viral rates continue to fluctuate.

Authors:

Andres Correa, M.D., of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, is the corresponding author.

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(doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.2755)

Editor’s Note:

The article includes conflicts of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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