Reducing health disparities in endometrial cancer care in 2024

Abstract

Purpose of review To summarize the most recent publications explaining disparities among patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer and identify areas of improvement. Recent findings Racial disparities in endometrial cancer care have been identified along the cancer continuum including risk, diagnosis, access to treatment, and overall survival. The mortality gap in endometrial cancer is one of the top five widest Black–White mortality gaps among all cancer diagnoses in the United States. Many publications have demonstrated that the disparities exist, the aim of this review is to identify actionable areas of improvement. To mitigate racial disparities, we must acknowledge that Black patients are at higher risk of high-risk subtypes of endometrial cancer, and their presentation can vary from what is considered typical for the most common type of endometrial cancer. We must address that practice recommendations for diagnosis may not be generalizable to all races and ethnicities, and that racism has an impact on how providers approach a work-up for Black vs. White patients. Finally, we must improve access to appropriate treatment by steadfastly adhering to recommended practice guidelines regardless of race/ethnicity and improving efforts to enroll a diverse patient population to clinical trials. Summary In this review, we sought to identify specific and actionable areas of improvement to reduce racial disparities in endometrial cancer care.