Increased Incidence of Loco-Regional Recurrences among African American Women with Terminal Stage Breast Cancer

Increased Incidence of Loco-Regional Recurrences among African American Women with Terminal Stage Breast Cancer

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A prospective analysis of women with terminal breast cancer admitted to CHNE from November 2006-August 2007 evaluated anecdotal observations that African American (AA) women are likelier than Caucasian women to evidence Breathing Support Products loco-regional recurrences (LRR).Women with terminal breast cancer who were admitted to CHNE, a not-for-profit hospice serving over 90% of Northeast Florida hospice patients, were eligible for participation.134 terminal breast cancer patients were assessed by hospice nurses for LRR presence via chest wall examination.80% of them (107) were Caucasian, 17% (23) were AA and 3% (4) were of other ethnicities.Evidence of LRR were noted in 13% of the women (17/134).

The proportion of patients with LRR was higher in AA women than Caucasian women (26% vs.10%, 6/23 vs.11/107, respectively), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.08).The majority of Caucasian women with LRR consented to a medical record review, but a minority of AA women consented (8/11 vs.

2/6, respectively, p = 0.16).Conclusion Evaluating disparities in breast cancer care outcomes is possible by reviewing data from patients served by hospice programs that aid a D bit majority of patients within a community.This pilot data suggests that AA women with breast cancer have a higher incidence of loco-regional failure as a component of their terminal breast cancer disease than Caucasian women.A smaller proportion of AA patients and families agreed to participate in a medical record review study than Caucasians.

Larger studies are necessary to confirm these findings, to elucidate factors contributing to disparities and to develop potential solutions.