Race-related differences in breast cancer patients. Results of the 1982 national survey of breast cancer by the American College of Surgeons

Abstract

Data from the 1982 breast cancer survey of the American College of Surgeons were used to evaluate factors related to clinical, epidemiologic, and survival differences between black and white patients. Breast cancer in blacks was not discovered as early as in whites. Distribution of pathologic types of tumors were similar for both races with the exception of medullary carcinoma, which was more frequent in blacks than in whites. Estrogen receptor-positive tumors were found significantly less frequently in blacks compared with whites. Survival was better for whites compared with blacks within each axillary nodes group 0, 1 to 3, and 4+. Black women with negative or positive estrogen receptors had lower survival rates than white women of the same receptor status. A regression analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model showed race, clinical stage or axillary nodal status, age at diagnosis, and estrogen receptor status as significant predictors of survival. Significant differences between black and white patients were also observed with respect to the report of family history of breast cancer, age at first pregnancy, number of pregnancies, and age at cessation of menses.