The influence of language spoken on colorectal cancer diagnosis and management.

Multiple studies have reported clearly inferior cancer-related outcomes in minority populations.1 Stage at diagnosis and differences in treatment have been cited as the most important explanatory factors. Some research has evaluated the psychosocial elements of this association; however, the influence of language has not previously been evaluated.1 Patients who do not have English as a preferred language make up a significant minority in Australian public hospitals and although interpreters are available, or family members may act in this capacity, the effect on patient outcomes has not been reported. To assess the influence of language spoken, we queried a prospective colorectal cancer database at Western Hospital, established in 1998 and matched this with data from the hospitals central information system, which records patient preferred language. Of the 1114 patients on our database, 215 (19%) described a language other than English as their preferred language. ANZ J. Surg. 2006; 76: 671–673