An Analysis of Individual and Contextual-Level Disparities in Screening, Treatment, and Outcomes for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of liver and affects patients all genders, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic status. While causes HCC are numerous, etiology cirrhosis from alcohol non-alcoholic fatty disease in United States infectious agents such as Hepatitis B C developing world. In at-risk for HCC, screening recommended with ultrasound imaging alpha fetoprotein laboratory tests. socioeconomically vulnerable patients, however, individual-level barriers (eg, insurance status) contextual-level disparities health facilities) may not be readily available, thus limiting screening. Additional challenges faced by racial/ethnic minorities can further challenge spectrum care lead to inadequate screening, delayed diagnosis, unequal access treatment. Efforts improve these multilevel factors that treatment critical overcoming challenges. Providing those without access, improving societal confine a lower status, reducing seeking healthcare decrease morbidity mortality patients. Additionally, engaging communities allowing them collaborate their own also help attenuate inequities. Through collaborative multidisciplinary change, we make progress tackling populations achieve equity.