Other Health Conditions May Contribute to Disparity in Breast Cancer Survival for African Americans
Other Health Conditions May Contribute to Disparity in Breast Cancer Survival for African Americans
October 19, 2005 - "More black breast cancer patients die of competing causes than of breast cancer." This finding was reported in the October 12, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Even though African American women older than 35 are diagnosed less than white women with breast cancer, statistics show that African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer at any age.
While factors such as lower socioeconomic status, later stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis, lack of access to healthcare services, and disparities in treatment have been studied to explain the differences in outcomes for African American and white women, questions still remain. In a study that reviewed the records and histories of over 900 women over 10 years, comorbid conditions (other health conditions or illnesses that occur at the same time as the illness being considered) were examined.
The study found that:
- African Americans were more likely to have co-morbid conditions than whites.
- Diabetes and hypertension were the most important comorbid conditions in African Americans.
- When other health conditions are present, patients could receive less aggressive treatment or no treatment as a result. These other conditions predicted whether patients received surgery, and surgery is believed to be "the single most protective cancer treatment."
Komen Foundation Perspective
As with most chronic diseases, correct, timely diagnosis and long-term management are all important in successfully living with the disease. If you are an African American woman it is important for you know that there are higher levels of some diseases in this population like diabetes and hypertension. It is also important that you understand the complications that having other health conditions could present in breast cancer treatment and outcomes.
African American women should talk to their providers and should encourage each other to get screening for chronic diseases, to maintain the indicated treatments, and to make necessary lifestyle changes. These steps can help to reduce the risks for chronic disease, manage it better if diagnosed, and help to ensure that you are as healthy as possible if diagnosed with a disease such as breast cancer. For example, changes that include controlling obesity and engaging in regular exercise could benefit all patients with diabetes and hypertension. Changes such as these could have a positive impact on the treatment options for other life-threatening diseases, such as breast cancer.
Regular screening not only for breast cancer, but for chronic diseases, is recommended for everyone. By being aware of our family history, all women can help providers screen for specific health conditions.
The search for the causes of disparities in breast cancer outcomes will continue. Understanding that comorbid conditions play a role in these outcomes - and how - will be an important piece of this puzzle.
Read more about healthy lifestyles:
Definition:
Comorbid - other health conditions or illnesses that occur at the same time as the illness being considered.
Sources:
Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2005-2006, ACS
Tammemagi, C. Martin, Ph. D., et al, "Comorbidity and Survival Disparities Among black and White Patients with Breast Cancer", JAMA, October 12, 2005, Vol. 294, No. 14, PP 1765-1772.
