Major: Biology: Secondary Education

Research Project Summary:

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States [1]. Despite advances in screening and therapy, disparities persist in treatment access between rural and urban populations [2]. A California cancer registry study reported that Hispanic or Latino men, men from low nSES areas, and rural areas were more likely to receive surgical ADT orchiectomy, and that race or ethnicity, neighborhood SES, and insurance status showed significant associations with surgical ADT receipt [3]. We will examine the association between patient rurality and prostate cancer treatment modality in New Mexico using data from the New Mexico Tumor Registry. No studies have evaluated these relationships within New Mexico, limiting understanding of statewide disparities in prostate cancer care. Our results will address that gap by providing evidence of geographic variation in treatment and its implications for access to therapy.