Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Ovarian Cancer Survival: What the Research Shows

Differences in cancer outcomes can be difficult to recognize when racial and ethnic groups are studied too broadly. A recent study examined overall survival among women with epithelial ovarian cancer across several racial and ethnic groups, including analyzing Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women separately.

Bram Goldstein, Ph.D., President and Senior Clinical Fellow of the Women’s Cancer Research Foundation, provides clinical context on the findings.

A Clinical Perspective of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Ovarian Cancer Survival from Bram Goldstein, Ph.D.

Prior studies have examined survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC); however, few consider race and ethnicity, particularly disaggregating Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women.

After analyzing data from several Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium studies, including women with EOC from Asian (n = 697), non-Hispanic Black (n = 267), Hispanic (n = 492), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (n = 98) and non-Hispanic White (n = 12,998) racial and ethnic groups, researchers sought to examine associations between hormone-related factors and family history and overall survival by race and ethnicity, testing for heterogeneity.

Compared to non-Hispanic White women with EOC, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and non-Hispanic Black women had poorer overall survival. The association was more pronounced for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women with high-grade serous carcinoma.

There was no significant heterogeneity in the associations between epidemiological factors and survival by racial and ethnic groups. Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and non-Hispanic Black women with EOC had poorer survival, highlighting the need to address disparities in outcome.

Why This Research Matters

Research cannot address disparities it does not clearly identify. By examining racial and ethnic groups separately, this study brings greater attention to differences in ovarian cancer survival that may otherwise be overlooked.

The findings do not answer every question about why these differences exist. They do, however, show where further research is needed to better understand and address disparities in ovarian cancer outcomes.

Read the research: View the study abstract published in the British Journal of Cancer

Medical note: This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or individualized screening or treatment recommendations. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional about personal health concerns.