e18074 Background: Approximately 12% of breast cancer cases occur in women younger than 50 years, per SEER data from 2012. Hispanic women are known to present at a younger age and African American women with more advanced stage disease. In this study, we describe the impact of age and race on the initial presentation of breast cancer among minority women treated at the Hennepin Healthcare System (HHS) in the state of Minnesota. Methods: A single-institution retrospective analysis of data from our electronic health record of all breast cancer diagnoses from 2010-2015. Cases were compared by age ( < 50 or > 50 years), race (Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, other), stage (AJCC 7th edition), and method of diagnosis (self-reported mass or screening mammography). Results: A total of 315 breast cancer diagnoses occurred at HHS from 2010-2015. In our cohort, 29% of all breast cancer cases were diagnosed in women < 50yrs. Hispanic and African American women had higher rates of diagnosis at < 50yrs compared to Caucasian women (38.9% vs 37.1% vs 18.1 respectively, p < 0.05). Early stage cancer (stage 0 or I) accounted for most diagnoses in those > 50yrs (54.8%), while advanced stage (stage II-IV) was more prevalent in the < 50yrs age group (59.5%) (p < 0.05). Of all women diagnosed with breast cancer, 63% presented with a self-reported mass and 37% were diagnosed by screening mammography. Hispanics and African American women had a higher rate of presentation with a self-reported mass (74% and 66% respectively) compared to Caucasian women (55%). Women with breast cancer < 50yrs were more likely to present with a self-reported mass than women > 50yrs (80% vs 55%, p < 0.05). 92% of Hispanic and 80% of African American women < 50yrs presented with a self-reported mass, compared to 62% of Caucasian women (p = 0.095). Conclusions: At our institution, Hispanic and African American women are diagnosed at a significantly younger age than Caucasian women, and those diagnosed at a younger age have more advanced disease. Presenting with a self-reported mass is very common for young non-Caucasian women. Whether screening mammography can be better utilized to change these trends requires further study.
Functionally active estrogen receptor isoform profiles in the breast tumors of African American women are different from the profiles in breast tumors of Caucasian women
