Racial–Ethnic Disparities in Late-Stage Colorectal Cancer Among Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites of New Mexico

Introduction: Hispanics in New Mexico are diagnosed with more later-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) than non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). Our study evaluated the interaction of race/ethnicity and risk factors for later-stage III and IV CRC among patients in New Mexico. Method: CRC patients ages 30 to 75 years (n = 163, 46% Hispanic) completed a survey on key explanatory clinical, lifestyle, preventive health, and demographic variables for CRC risk. Adjusted logistic regression models examined whether these variables differentially contributed to later-stage CRC among NHW versus Hispanics. Results: Compared with NHW, Hispanics had a higher prevalence of later-stage CRC (p =.007), diabetes (p =.006), high alcohol consumption (p =.002), low education (p =.003), and CRC diagnosis due to symptoms (p =.06). Compared with NHW, Hispanics reporting high alcohol consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 7.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.31-43.92), lower education (OR = 3.5; 95% CI = 1.28-9.65), being nondiabetic (OR = 3.23; 95% CI = 1.46-7.15), or ever smokers (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.03-5.89) were at higher risk for late-stage CRC. Adjusting for CRC screening did not change the direction or intensity of the odds ratios. Conclusion: The ethnicity–risk factor interactions, identified for late-stage CRC, highlight significant factors for targeted intervention strategies aimed at reducing the burden of later-stage CRC among Hispanics in New Mexico with broad applicability to other Hispanic populations.