Health Inequalities in oesophago-gastric (OG) cancer in a Single Tertiary Centre

Background This abstract presents the findings of a study investigating health inequality in oesophago-gastric (OG) cancer throughout Greater Manchester (GM). The study aimed to assess the impact of socio-economic deprivation on cancer incidence, clinical stage at diagnosis and treatment intent. Methods The study reviewed MDT minutes from 2022 for patients newly diagnosed with oesophageal or gastric cancer. Treatment intent at diagnosis, patient age, and deprivation scores based on national data were examined. Patients were categorised into quintile (Groups 1 to 5) based on their Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) score from their postcode. Results 674 patients were included from a population of 3.5 million. Stages 1-2 accounted for only 21% of cases and stage 4 accounted for 57% of cases. 31.6% of all cases occurred in the MD (p=.565). Among all cancers, 9% more patients who had palliative disease resided in the MD (12% vs 21%, p=.565). There were 7.2% more stage 4 cancer in the MD (10.2% vs 17.4%, p=.865). Men were proportionally more represented in stage 4 disease compared to stage 1 (65.5% vs. 72.7%, p=.155). Patients in the MD had earlier onset of disease (median 70 years vs. 75 years, p=.051). Conclusions This retrospective study highlights important trends that warrant further research. It identifies health inequalities in OG cancer, particularly in terms of age at diagnosis, incidence rates in deprived areas, and gender disparities. The study underscores the urgency for targeted interventions, public awareness campaigns, and resource allocation to address these disparities, alleviate the burden of advanced-stage OG cancer, and improve access to early diagnosis and effective treatment in an equitable manner. The findings contribute to the growing body of evidence on health inequality in cancer, however further research is required.