Do age and ethnicity predict breast cancer treatment received? A cross-sectional urban population based study. Breast cancer treatment: age and ethnicity.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the treatment patterns of women aged 55 years or older with newly diagnosed breast cancer and to examine the association between age and ethnicity/race on treatment selection.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey between January 1 and June 30, 2001 of 401 women was performed of Hispanic, black and non-Hispanic white women in Los Angeles County, aged 55 years or older with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Regression analysis examined the association between: (a) age and treatment selection and (b) ethnicity/race and treatment selection, adjusting for the effect of possible confounders.

RESULTS

In this study of urban breast cancer patients (64.1% response rate), blacks were less likely to receive hormone (OR=0.36) or chemotherapy therapy (OR=0.50) while older patients were less likely to receive lymph node dissection after lumpectomy (OR=0.48) and chemotherapy (OR=0.22).

CONCLUSION

Although there are racial and age disparities in breast cancer treatment, other factors such as education, income status, insurance plan, functional status, and comorbidity also play an important role.