Approved by the FDA in 2020, prostate-specific membrane antigen-positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) is an imaging technique that has significantly improved the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, providing insights into smaller prostate cancer lesions earlier than conventional imaging methods. However, PSMA-PET scans are less likely to be used for Black and Latinx patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa), according to new research presented at the most recent American Society of Clinical Oncology conference.
The research team analyzed the health records of 250 White patients, 250 Black patients, and 50 Latinx patients who were diagnosed with mPCa between December 2020 and May 2024. Compared to White patients, the authors found that Black and Latinx patients were 44 percent and 63 percent less likely, respectively, to have had a PSMA-PET scan.
Consistent with prior research, the findings document persistent racial disparities in the adoption of medical innovations. The authors call for the development of interventions that advance the equitable uptake of novel diagnostic medial tools, as well as future research into the drivers of these disparities and their potential impact on health outcomes.
