Disparities in time to definitive surgical treatment between black and white women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ

• Published in: The American journal of surgery Vol. 194; no. 4; pp. 521 - 523
• Main Authors: Pocock, Benjamin, M.D, Nash, Sarah, Klein, Laura, M.D, El-Tamer, Mahmoud, M.D, Schnabel, Freya R., M.D, Joseph, Kathie Ann, M.D
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.10.2007; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: African Americans; Biological and medical sciences; Black; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating - surgery; Disparities in health care; Ductal carcinoma in situ; European Continental Ancestry Group; Female; General aspects; Humans; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Mortality; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Retrospective Studies; Socioeconomic factors; Surgery; Time Factors; Disparities in health care; Ductal carcinoma in situ; Black; Human; Ductal carcinoma; Carcinoma in situ; Negroid; Malignant tumor; Ethnic group; Care; Medicine; Treatment; Surgery; Race; Adult; Female; Diagnosis; Disparity; Caucasoid; Woman; Public health; African American; Inequality
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.06.015

Abstract Background Although black women develop invasive breast cancer at a lower incidence than white women, the cancers they develop tend to be of a higher grade and are more likely estrogen receptor negative. There is very little information with regard to black women and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In addition, although various reasons have been proposed for the delay to screening for black women, a delay after diagnosis has also been recognized. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate disparities in time to treatment between black women and white women once DCIS has been diagnosed. Methods A retrospective analysis of 37 black women and 37 matched white women treated for DCIS was performed. Matches were made based on the date of birth, date of diagnosis, date and type of surgery, and age at diagnosis. The time from the date of diagnosis to the date of surgery was ascertained. Results Black women were 64% more likely to undergo a delay to surgery (>50 days) compared with white women (21% versus 13%, P < .05). Conclusion Black women are more likely not to reach surgery within 50 days of diagnosis, which is concerning, and further studies to investigate the cause of these delays are warranted.