Ethnic minorities with ovarian cancer are more apt to receive intensive and invasive end-of-life care, according to a study involving more than 3,600 individuals.

Investigators looked at Medicare data from participants with ovarian cancer who died between 2000 and 2012. Among the results:

• 7 in every 10 patients enrolled in hospice; nearly 90% of them died while enrolled.
• Median hospice enrollment duration was 20 days.
• In the month before death, 10% had >1 ER visit, 14% had >1 hospital admission, 16% had an ICU admission, 23% invasive care, and 11% life-extending care.
• In the 2 weeks prior to death, 10% received chemotherapy.
• Hispanics and blacks were less likely to enroll and die in hospice.
• Hispanics were 37% more likely to be admitted to an ICU.
• Blacks were more than twice as likely to both have >1 ER visit and receive a life-extending procedure.