MPH Thesis Defense: Lia Sanchez
bis
Georgia, Georgia
Title: FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LATE-STAGE PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSIS AMONG BLACK MEN: A SEER 17-REGISTRY ANALYSIS, 2015–2023 Abstract: Prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men, who experience higher rates of aggressive disease and mortality (Lillard et al., 2022; Siegel et al., 2020). This study examined factors associated with late-stage prostate cancer diagnosis among Black men diagnosed between 2015 and 2023 across the SEER 17 regions. A secondary analysis of SEER data was conducted using a quantitative, observational, cross-sectional design. The final analytic sample included 70,587 Black men. Stage at diagnosis was categorized as early-stage or late-stage disease based on SEER Summary Stage classifications (SEER Program, 2026). Age, area-level income, marital status, and metropolitan versus non-metropolitan residence were examined using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Overall, 21.8% of participants were diagnosed with late-stage disease. After adjustment, age, area-level income, and marital status were significantly associated with late-stage diagnosis. Participants aged 80 years or older had higher odds of late-stage diagnosis compared with those aged 60–69 years (aOR = 2.545, 95% CI: 2.360–2.745). Higher area-level income and being unmarried were also associated with higher odds of late-stage diagnosis. Metropolitan status was not significantly associated with late-stage diagnosis after adjustment (aOR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.874–1.021). These findings highlight demographic and social characteristics associated with late-stage prostate cancer diagnosis among Black men and support further research into healthcare access, screening, socioeconomic conditions, and social support. Chair: Dr. Ike Okosun