#United States #pancreatic cancer #Plymouth Meeting #Health Disparities #JNCCN

Alarming Disparities in Pancreatic Cancer Care

Recent research published in the April 2025 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, has shed light on the shocking disparities faced by patients suffering from metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). Conducted by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, the study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database to analyze data from 14,147 patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2019.

The Findings

The study reveals some striking statistics regarding the quality of care and survival outcomes for patients afflicted by this aggressive cancer. Those identified as socially vulnerable, particularly on the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), were found to be 30% less likely to receive crucial components of quality cancer care. This includes guidelines for systemic therapy, palliative care, and, notably, achieving a one-year cancer-specific survival rate.

Further dissecting the data, the study elucidated that minority ethnic groups experienced a 25% decreased likelihood of receiving optimal care—regardless of their economic status. Additionally, individuals coming from lower socioeconomic backgrounds had a staggering 34% lower chance of receiving adequate treatment, casting a daunting picture of inequality in cancer care.

A Call for Action

The lead author of the study, Dr. Diamantis Tsilimigras, emphasized the urgency of targeting these disparities: "The results of our study highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate disparities in cancer care." He calls for the implementation of federal policies that would expand access to healthcare, specifically those promoting Medicaid and Medicare coverage for palliative care services.

Dr. Tsilimigras also suggests that addressing social determinants of health alongside financial support for vulnerable groups might alleviate some of these disparities. Furthermore, recognizing and confronting implicit biases in treatment could pave the way for a more equitable healthcare system.

Improvements Over Time

Interestingly, despite the disparities, the study observed a trend of improvement in both quality of care and survival rates over the years. Patients who did manage to receive timely and appropriate systemic and/or palliative care showed a greater tendency to survive beyond one year post-diagnosis. This trend emphasizes the positive impact of adherence to established treatment guidelines.

Dr. Timothy M. Pawlik, a senior author of the study, pointed out that while adherence to NCCN Guidelines improved over the study period, significant gaps remain, potentially leading to adverse outcomes for those not receiving guideline-concordant care.

Wider Recognition

Adding to the urgency of this issue, Dr. Jason S. Gold, an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School who was not involved in the research but commented on it, highlighted that societal factors like social vulnerability and economic status play a role in the ongoing disparities seen in pancreatic cancer treatment. His remarks underscore the need for continuous conversation around treatment equity and raise awareness for policymakers and healthcare providers alike.

Conclusion

The results from this comprehensive study are both alarming and illuminating, showcasing the pressing need for systemic change in how metastatic pancreatic cancer is treated across different demographics. Access to equitable healthcare should be a priority, and with ongoing efforts to combat these disparities, we hope to see improvements in the survival and quality of life for all pancreatic cancer patients moving forward.

To delve deeper into the study titled "Quality Score Among Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Trends, Racial Disparities, and Impact on Outcomes," and to read an accompanying commentary, visit JNCCN.org.