Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Presentation at a National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center and a Safety-Net Hospital during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The clinical setting where patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), especially young adults, accessed the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic to obtain their diagnosis is understudied. We hypothesized that patients with early-onset CRC (EO-CRC) present at disproportionate rates to emergency departments compared to patients with average-age onset CRC (AO-CRC).

Patient and methods

Clinical chart review was conducted for patients discussed at tumor board from the University of Texas Southwestern and Parkland Health Hospitals from August 2020 to August 2022 to compare the site of presentation that led to diagnosis: emergency department or primary care setting.

Results

Two-hundred and ninety-three patients with CRC were included (69% AO-CRC, 31% EO-CRC)

SUBMITTER: Buhaya MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12716878 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature