Ethnic disparity in cervical cancer stage at diagnosis: A retrospective study in an Israeli referral‐center.

Objective: To compare stage and survival of cervical cancer between Jewish and Arab women in a tertiary medical center in Israel. Methods: Retrospective study of consecutive women diagnosed with cervical cancer in a single institution between 2010 and 2021. We compared Jewish and Arab patients using univariate, multivariable, and survival curves analysis. Results: Overall, 207 Jewish women and 45 Arab women were included with a median follow up of 20 months (interquartile range 7–46 months). The groups did not differ in median body mass index, mean age at diagnosis, or menopausal status. Arab women had higher parity. Arab women were at a higher risk to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease (≥2b) (84.4% vs. 57% Arab and Jewish women, respectively, P < 0.001). In a multivariable regression analysis, Arab descent was found to be the only independent factor associated with advanced stage disease (odds ratio 3.95, 95% confidence interval 1.54–10.10). Overall survival and stage‐specific survival were not different between the ethnic groups. Conclusions: Advanced stage at diagnosis was more prevalent in Arab women compared with Jewish women with cervical cancer, whereas stage‐specific survival was similar. Further studies addressing possible contributing factors to inequality should be undertaken to find corrective measures. Synopsis: Arab women are diagnosed with cervical cancers of more advanced stage than Jewish women in Israel; however, survival is similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]