Do ethnic patients report longer lung cancer intervals than Anglo-Australian patients? Findings from a prospective, observational cohort study

Objective: Lung cancer patients from ethnic minorities have poorer outcomes than their Caucasian counterparts. We compared lung cancer intervals between culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Anglo-Australian patients to identify ethnic disparities. Methods: This was a prospective, observational cohort study comprising a patient survey and reviews of patients' hospital and general practice records. Across three states, 577 (407 Anglo-Australian and 170 CALD) patients were recruited and their hospital records reviewed. The survey was returned by 189 (135 Anglo-Australian and 54 CALD) patients, and a review was completed by general practitioners (GPs) of 99 (76 Anglo-Australian and 23 CALD) patients. Survival and Cox regression analyses were conducted. Results: CALD patients had longer hospital diagnostic interval [median 30 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) 26–34] than Anglo-Australian patients (median 17, 95% CI 14–20), p = 0.005, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.32 (95% CI 1.09–1.60). This difference persisted after relevant factors were taken into consideration, adjusted HR = 1.26 (95% CI 1.03–1.54, p = 0.022). CALD patients also reported longer prehospital intervals; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Target interventions need to be developed to address ethnic disparity in hospital diagnostic interval.