African-American patients with
breast cancer
who are treated with conservative surgery and radiation therapy
have similar survival rates to that of white patients, despite the
earlier age of onset and larger tumor size, according to a Yale
study.
The principal investigator, Dr. Bruce Haffty,
professor of therapeutic radiology at the School of Medicine, says the study was
prompted by the fact that although the incidence of breast cancer
is about 13% lower for African-American women than for white women,
the mortality rate from breast cancer is higher for all stages of
the disease in African-American women.
His study, published last week in the
July/August issue of the Cancer Journal of Scientific American,
rules out standard treatment as the reason for the difference in
the mortality rate.
“Despite a younger age of onset and
larger tumor size, the outcome in African-American patients with
breast cancer who are treated with conservative surgery and
radiation therapy is similar to white patients in terms of overall
survival,” Haffty says.
Although the survival rate following a
lumpectomy and radiation therapy is similar, the researchers found
that African-American women have a slightly higher local relapse
rate and poorer cosmetic results. Both of these issues require
further investigation, Haffty says.
The study included 1,614 white patients and
101 African-American patients who were diagnosed with primary
breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy and radiation therapy at
Yale-New Haven Hospital between 1973 and 1997.
There was no difference in overall 10-year
survival between the African-American and white patients. However,
at 10 years, the relapse-free rate was 81% for the African-American
women and 87% for the white women.
The co-author of the study is Nimi
Tuamokumo, a recent graduate of the School of Medicine. The study
was supported in part with funding from the Robert Leet and Clara
Guthrie Patterson Trust and the Ethel F. Donaghue Women’s
Health Investigator Program at Yale.
-- By Jacqueline Weaver
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
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Bulldogs open season with special events
Popular International Studies major strengthened
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Dr. John Krystal is appointed as the McNeil Jr. Professor
Mark Gerstein is named the Williams Associate Professor
In Focus: Women's Health Research at Yale'From Vision to Innovation' will mark fifth anniversary
Aim is to support work with 'practical benefits,' says director
Scientists tackling important women's health issues . . .
Three new recipients of Donaghue grants announced
Leading biologists will share research . . .
Weekend festival will showcase films from around the world
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Study shows estrogen improves reading ability . . .
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Study finds no racial differences in survival rates after treatment . . .
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