Liver Cancer Awareness Higher in Individuals Who Receive HBV/HCV Screening

Individuals in Philadelphia and New York City who were screened for the common liver cancer risk factors hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) displayed a higher level of knowledge of liver cancer, according to findings from a retrospective study presented during the 5th Annual Regional Synergistic Partnership for Enhancing Equity in Cancer Health (SPEECH) Conference and Retreat in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Among the 453 participants included in the study, 79.91% underwent prior screening for HBV or HVC. Those who received prior screening for HBV or HCV (n = 370) displayed a mean liver cancer knowledge score of 7.69 (standard deviation [SD], 2.47) compared with a mean score of 6.24 (SD, 3.02) for individuals who were not screened for HBV or HCV (n = 93; P < .0001).

Data were presented in a poster by Elaine Liu, MPH, of the Center for Asian Health at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, and colleagues.

To conduct their study, investigators collected data on individual demographics, HBV/HCV knowledge, screening habits, and physician recommendations via questionnaires. Study authors also assessed neighborhood walkability with a walk score based on participants’ address and measured racial segregation by isolation index. Social disadvantage and isolation index data were obtained from the American Community Survey at the census tract level, and ArcMap was used to geocode the addresses of the participants.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of neighborhood aspects, including social disadvantages and walkability, on a U54 liver cancer prevention outreach program in Philadelphia and New York City.

Regarding participant demographic, individuals in the study were Asian (60.15%), African American (25.31%), and White or other (14.54%). Most patients were not Hispanic (67.97%), had health insurance (79.91%), and had an education level of high school or above (56.49%). Notably, 64.46% of all individuals were not recommended for HBV/HCV screening by a physician.

Additional findings from the study showed that the median social deprivation index was 37.00 (interquartile range [IQR], 25.63-52.63). The median walk score was 86.00 (IQR, 77.0-94.0), and the median isolation index was 0.36 (IQR, 0.17-0.43).

In a future study, investigators plan to use a multi-level model to evaluate the influence of neighborhood characteristics on screening behaviors.

Reference

Liu E, Bhimla A, Zhu L, et al. Neighborhood environment characteristics among community members in the U54 community outreach initiative to enhance liver cancer screening and prevention. Presented at: 5th Annual Regional Synergistic Partnership for Enhancing Equity in Cancer Health (SPEECH) Conference and Retreat; May 17-18, 2023; Philadelphia, PA. Poster 21.