These researchers investigated the presentation, management and survival of stomach cancer in a cohort of newly diagnosed Māori and non-Māori patients. They reviewed the clinical notes of all Māori from the North Island diagnosed between 2006 and 2008, and a random equivalent sample of non-Māori (final cohort n=335). Compared to non-Māori, Māori patients had a younger average age at diagnosis, a higher prevalence of congestive heart failure and renal disease, and were more likely to be diagnosed with distal disease (43% Māori vs 26% non-Māori; p=0.004). Stage and grade distributions were similar between ethnic groups. Two-thirds (66%) of stage I–III patients had definitive surgery; rates were similar rates between Māori and non-Māori (71% vs 68%). Māori were less likely to have surgery performed by a specialist upper gastrointestinal surgeon (38% Māori vs 79% non-Māori; p<0.01) and less likely to be treated in a main centre (44% Māori vs 87% non-Māori; p<0.01). In multivariate analyses adjusted for age, sex, stage, tumour site and comorbidity, survival was poorer among Māori (hazard ratio 1.27; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.68).
