Abstract IA-43: Designing individual-level and structural interventions to reduce and eliminate racial disparities in liver cancer

Over the past two decades, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased dramatically, in the United States and worldwide. The tremendous racial diversity in the United States allows for evaluation of racial differences in HCC risk and outcomes. Blacks, Asians and Hispanics all have increased liver cancer risk compared to non-Hispanic Whites. The cause of this disparity is poorly understood but is thought to be multi-factorial. The prevalence and etiology of chronic liver disease differs amongst racial subgroups; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is most prevalent in Hispanics, while Blacks and Asians are disproportionately affected by viral hepatitis. Moreover, there are substantial racial inequalities with regards to access to comprehensive health care. In addition to racial differences in HCC risk, there are significant racial disparities in cancer stage at HCC diagnosis and receipt of appropriate cancer treatment. Multiple retrospective studies have confirmed significant disparities in survival after HCC diagnosis; Blacks in the United States and worldwide have the lowest survival, compared to other races. There are many stages along the cancer continuum where clinicians and researchers can intervene to improve how individuals living with liver disease are diagnosed, which could subsequently reduce the risk of HCC and improve outcomes. Using hepatitis B as a case study, this lecture will discuss individual-level interventions as well as the necessary structural interventions targeting healthcare policy, organizations, institutions and vulnerable communities that will be required to achieve widespread reduction in HCC-related disparities.

Citation Format: Patricia D. Jones. Designing individual-level and structural interventions to reduce and eliminate racial disparities in liver cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA-43.