scholarly journals Drivers of Disparities in Stage at Diagnosis Among Women With Breast Cancer: South African Breast Cancers and HIV Outcomes Cohort

Author(s):  
Witness Mapanga ◽  
Shane A Norris ◽  
Ashleigh Craig ◽  
Oluwatosin A. Ayeni ◽  
Wenlong C. Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), advanced stage diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) is common, and this contributes to poor survival. By understanding the determinants of the stage at diagnosis will aid in designing interventions to downstage disease and improve survival from BC in LMICs. MethodsWithin the South African Breast Cancers and HIV Outcomes (SABCHO) cohort, we examined factors affecting the stage at diagnosis of histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer at five tertiary hospitals in South Africa. The stage was assessed clinically. To examine the associations of the health system, socio-economic/household and individual factors, hierarchical multivariate logistic regression with odds of late-stage at diagnosis (stage III-IV), was used. Results The majority (59%) of the included 3497 women were diagnosed with late-stage BC disease (59%). The effect of health system-level factors on late-stage BC diagnosis was consistent and significant even when adjusted for both socio-economic- and individual-level factors. Women diagnosed in a tertiary hospital that predominantly serves a rural population were almost 3 times (OR=2.89 (95% CI: 1.40-5.97) likely to be associated with late-stage BC diagnosis when compared to those diagnosed at a hospital that predominantly serves an urban population. Taking more than 3 months from identifying the BC problem to first health system entry (OR=1.66 (95% CI: 1.38–2.00)), and receptor subtypes [luminal B (OR=1.49 (95% CI: 1.19–1.87)), HER2 enriched (OR=1.64 (95% CI: 1.16–2.32))] were associated with a late-stage diagnosis. Whilst having a higher socio-economic level (a wealth index of 5) reduced the probability of late-stage BC, OR=0.64 (95% CI: 0.47 – 0.85). ConclusionAdvanced stage diagnosis of BC among women in SA who access health services through the public health system was associated with both modifiable health system-level factors and non-modifiable individual-level factors. These may be considered as elements in interventions to reduce the time to diagnosis of breast cancer in women.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1084-1084
Author(s):  
Julia Blanter ◽  
Ilana Ramer ◽  
Justina Ray ◽  
Emily J. Gallagher ◽  
Nina A. Bickell ◽  
...  

1084 Background: Black women diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to have a poor prognosis, regardless of breast cancer subtype. Despite having a lower incidence rate of breast cancer when compared to white women, black women have the highest breast cancer death rate of all racial and ethnic groups, a characteristic often attributed to late stage at diagnosis. Distant metastases are considered the leading cause of death from breast cancer. We performed a follow up study of women with breast cancer in the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) to determine differences in distant metastases rates among black versus white women. Methods: Women were initially recruited as part of an NIH funded cross-sectional study from 2013-2020 to examine the link between insulin resistance (IR) and breast cancer prognosis. Women self-identified as black or white race. Data was collected via retrospective analysis of electronic medical records (EMR) between September 2020-January 2021. Distant metastases at diagnosis was defined as evidence of metastases in a secondary organ (not lymph node). Stage at diagnosis was recorded for all patients. Distant metastases after diagnosis was defined as evidence of metastases at any time after initiation of treatment. Univariate analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test, multivariate analysis was performed by binary logistic regression, and results expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We identified 441 women enrolled in the IR study within the MSHS (340 white women, 101 black women). Median follow up time for all women was 2.95 years (median = 3.12 years for white and 2.51 years for black women (p=0.017)). Among these patients, 11 developed distant metastases after diagnosis: 4 (1.2%) white and 7 (6.9%) black (p=0.004). Multivariate analysis adjusting for age, race and stage at diagnosis revealed that black women were more likely to have distant metastasis (OR 5.8, CI 1.3-25.2), as were younger women (OR for age (years) 0.9, CI 0.9-1.0), and those with more advanced stage at diagnosis. Conclusions: Black women demonstrated a far higher percentage of distant metastases after diagnosis even when accounting for age and stage. These findings suggest that racial disparities still exist in the development of distant metastases, independent from a late-stage diagnosis. The source of existing disparities needs to be further understood and may be found in surveillance, treatment differences, or follow up.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 174550652094941
Author(s):  
Madeleine Lambert ◽  
Emily Mendenhall ◽  
Andrew Wooyoung Kim ◽  
Herbert Cubasch ◽  
Maureen Joffe ◽  
...  

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally and among South African women. Women from socioeconomically disadvantaged South African communities more often present later and receive total mastectomy compared to those from more affluent communities who have more breast conserving surgery (which is less invasive but requires mandatory radiation treatment post-operatively). Standard chemotherapy and total mastectomy treatments are known to cause traumatizing side effects and emotional suffering among South African women; moreover, many women face limited communication with physicians and psychological support. Objective: This article investigates the experiences of women seeking breast cancer treatment at the largest public hospital in South Africa. Methods We interviewed 50 Black women enrolled in the South African Breast Cancer Study to learn more about their health system experiences with detection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care for breast cancer. Each interview was between 2–3 hours, addressing perceptions, experiences, and concerns associated with breast cancer and comorbidities such as HIV and hypertension. Results: We found most women feared diagnosis, in part, because of the experience of chemotherapy and physical mutilation related to mastectomy. The importance of social support from family, religion, and clinical staff was fundamental for women coping with their condition and adhering to treatment and medication. Conclusions: These findings exemplify how interventions might promote early detection of breast cancer and better adherence to treatment. Addressing community perceptions of breast cancer, patient needs and desires for treatment, structural barriers to intensive therapies, and the burden of invasive treatments are imperative next steps for delivering better breast cancer care in Soweto and other resource-constrained settings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 60s-60s
Author(s):  
I.F.d. Silva ◽  
S.D.O. Monteiro ◽  
R.J. Koifman

Background: The majority of breast cancer death occurs in developing countries. Mortality reductions achieved in the last decades in developed countries have not been reached in developing countries mainly because of a lack of access to early medical attention and delays on treatment. There are very few research studies on the reasons behind delayed medical attention for breast cancer in women in developing countries. Aim: To estimate the treatment delay, and associated factors, among women diagnosed with breast cancer treated on the National Cancer Institute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: A retrospective study on a cohort of 3220 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer between 2011 and 2013 was accomplished. Times from diagnose to treatment initiation were analyzed according to the Brazilian law for cancer patient treatment (≤ 60 > days). Association between sociodemographic, life style, clinical and treatment variables, and delays on treatment were estimated using X2-test and logistic regression model, with 95% confidential interval. Results: Over 50% of women was 50-69 years old, white (50.5%), presented early stage at diagnosis (63.8%), and refereed from public health service (76.9%). From those who had a histopathological diagnosis on the first visit at NCI (N=2,554), median time from diagnose to 1st treatment was 108 days, varying from 97 days (stage T0-2N>1-X/T3-4N0/X) to 133 days (stage Tis). Among those, prevalence of treatment delay was 89.1%; time interval > 30 days from diagnosis and 1st visit at NCI (OR=29.84; CI: 19.80-44.97) and age (50-69: OR=1.61; CI: 1.24-2.11, ≥70 years: OR=1.91; CI: 1.27-2.89) were statistically associated with treatment delay; while high education (OR=0.31; CI: 0.13-0.73) and late stage at diagnosis (OR=0.63; CI: 0.49-0.80) were negatively associate with treatment delay. Among those who arrived without diagnosis (n=666), prevalence of treatment delay was 34.7%. Considering the whole cohort (N=3220) age ≥70 years old (OR=1.42; 1.04-1.94), living outside Rio city (OR=1.53; 1.26-1.87), and chemotherapy (OR=1.44; 1.06-1.95) were positively associated with delay; while college education (OR=0.73; 0.57-0.94) and late stage (OR=0.71; 0.53-0.96) were negatively associated with treatment delay. Conclusion: Increased breast cancer treatment delay was observed among women who arrived with histopathological diagnosis. Time interval from diagnosis on the 1st visit at cancer center was the main factor associated to treatment delay, followed by old age; while high education level and late stage at diagnosis were negatively associated with treatment delays. Considering the whole cohort, old age, living outside Rio and chemotherapy were positively associated to delays on treatment, while college education level and late stage were negatively associated with treatment delay.


2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 2874-2884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippa Pettersson ◽  
Christina Yau ◽  
Monica C. Dobocan ◽  
Biljana Culjkovic-Kraljacic ◽  
Hélène Retrouvay ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Ali Hashmi ◽  
Kashif Ali Hashmi ◽  
Muhammad Irfan ◽  
Saadia Mehmood Khan ◽  
Muhammad Muzzammil Edhi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Ki67 is the most commonly used marker to evaluate proliferative index in breast cancer, however no cutoff values have been clearly defined for high ki67 index. Cancer management should be according to loco-regional profile; therefore, we aimed to determine ki67 index in 1951 cases of intrinsic breast cancer subtypes and its association with other prognostic parameters in our set up. Results Triple negative breast cancers showed highest ki67 index (mean 50.9 ± 23.7%) followed by Her2neu (mean 42.6 ± 21.6%) and luminal B cancers (mean 34.9 ± 20.05%). Metaplastic and medullary breast cancers significantly showed higher ki67 index as compared to ductal carcinoma, NOS. No significant association of ki67 index was noted with any of the histologic parameters in different subtypes of breast cancer expect for tumor grade. Although, ki67 index is a valuable biomarker in breast cancer, however no independent prognostic significance of ki67 could be established in our study.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Austin R Rogers ◽  
Sue-Min Lai ◽  
John Keighley ◽  
Jessica Jungk

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer disparities by disability status are poorly understood. While previous studies have shown increased odds of late stage at diagnosis, it is unclear whether the incidence of breast cancer varies by disability status. METHODS: To assess cancer incidence and stage at diagnosis among disabled and nondisabled Medicare beneficiaries in Kansas, a retrospective cohort study was conducted using linked Medicare enrollment and Kansas Cancer Registry data from 2007 to 2009. Disability status was determined by the indicator for the original reason for Medicare eligibility. RESULTS: Among the 651,337 Medicare beneficiaries included in the cohort, there were 2,384 cases of breast cancer. The age-adjusted incidence was 313 per 100,000 among female beneficiaries with disabilities and 369 per 100,000 among nondisabled female beneficiaries. The adjusted incidence rate ratio was 0.93 (95% CI 0.73-1.18). When assessing stage at diagnosis, there was no difference in the odds of late stage at diagnosis by disability status (OR = 1.02; 95% CI 0.68-1.50). CONCLUSION: No significant difference in incidence or stage at diagnosis was identified among this cohort. The use of Medicare eligibility to define disability status presented a number of limitations. Future studies should seek alternate definitions of disability to assess disparities in breast cancer incidence, including definitions using Medicare claims data.


2012 ◽  
Vol 08 (01) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Andrew Y Shuen ◽  
William D Foulkes ◽  
◽  

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Gene expression profiling has demonstrated the existence of at least five ‘intrinsic’ subtypes: luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor-2 receptor (HER2), normal-like, and basal-like. While the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 remain the most important prognostic markers and predictors of response to therapy, interrogating thousands of genetic transcripts more accurately captures the biological complexity and clinical heterogeneity of this disease. Target identification through massively parallel sequencing is likely to bear fruit in the coming years. Attention to basal-like breast cancers has grown substantially due to their generally poor prognosis, lack of targeted therapies, and connection withBRCA1-related cancers. In this article, we discuss the basal-like subgroup with respect to its cellular origins, relationship toBRCA1, and associated epidemiological risk factors.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10540-10540
Author(s):  
B. Kaufman ◽  
A. Lahad ◽  
M. Krieger ◽  
M. Gal ◽  
E. Friedman ◽  
...  

10540 Background: BRCA1-associated tumors are known to have less favorable pathological characteristics, but there is little information on whether this is also reflected in the stage at diagnosis. Methods: Clinical and pathological information was collected on 1,122 consecutive Ashkenazi Jewish breast cancer patients who were tested post-diagnosis for the BRCA1/2 mutations common in this population. Results: Of 1,122 patients, 70 (6.2%) were BRCA1 and 50 (4.5%) were BRCA2 carriers. Mean age at diagnosis was 49.9 yrs. in BRCA1 carriers (p=.0001 vs. non-carriers (NC)) vs. 52.0 yrs. in BRCA2 carriers (p=.02 vs. NC) and 56.0 yrs. in NC. Pure DCIS was less common in BRCA1 carriers (3%) than in BRCA2 carriers (8.2%) and NC (11.8%) (p=.03). Medullary carcinoma was more common in BRCA1 (9.8%) and BRCA2 carriers (6.7%) than in NC (1.5%) (p<.001). Invasive lobular carcinomas were rarer in BRCA1 (1.6%) and BRCA2 (2.2%) compared to NC (8.8%) (p=.012). Hormone receptors (HR) negative was more common in BRCA1 (62%) compared to BRCA2 carriers (21%) (p=.00006) and NC (17%) (p<0.0001). Triple negative tumors (HR and HER2 negative) were more common in BRCA1 carriers (60%) than in BRCA2 carriers (14%) and NC (8.3%) (p=0.001). High grade was more common in BRCA1 (60.4%) and BRCA2 (51.4%) carriers than in NC (36.7%, p=.001). Less favorable pathological features and younger age at diagnosis in BRCA1 carriers were reflected in a more advanced stage at diagnosis. Stage I at diagnosis was found in 34% of BRCA1 carriers (p=.05 vs. NC), 43% of BRCA2 carriers and 46% of NC, stage II in 48% of BRCA1 carriers, 41% of BRCA2 carriers and 37% of NC, and stage III in 17% of BRCA1 carriers, 13.5% of BRCA2 carriers and 13.5% of non-carriers. Conclusions: This consecutive cohort study demonstrates that breast cancers in BRCA1 carriers are characterized by more aggressive pathological features and are diagnosed at more advanced stages than in BRCA2 carriers and non-carriers. This may suggest a differential approach for prevention and surveillance in BRCA1 compared to BRCA2 carriers. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. BCBCR.S10701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristiina Joensuu ◽  
Marjut Leidenius ◽  
Mia Kero ◽  
Leif C. Andersson ◽  
Kathryn B. Horwitz ◽  
...  

Breast cancer can recur even decades after the primary therapy. Markers are needed to predict cancer progression and the risk of late recurrence. The estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), proliferation marker Ki-67, and cytokeratin CK5 were studied to find out whether their expression or occurrence in subgroups of breast cancers correlated with the time of recurrence. The expression of HER2, ER, PR, Ki-67, and CK5 was studied by IHC in 72 primary breast cancers and their corresponding recurrent/metastatic lesions. The patients were divided into three groups according to the time of the recurrence/metastasis: before two years, after 5 years, and after 10 years. Based on their IHC profiles, the tumors were divided into surrogates of the genetically defined subgroups of breast cancers and the subtype definitions were as follows: luminal A (ER or PR+HER2–), luminal B (ER or PR+HER2+), HER2 overexpressing (ER–PR–HER2+), triple-negative (ER–PR–HER2–), basal-like (ER–PR–HER2–CK5+), non-classified (ER–PR–HER2–CK5–) and luminobasal (ER or PR+CK5+). In multivariate analysis, tumor size and HER2 positivity were a significant risk of early cancer relapse. The metastases showed a significantly lower CK5 expression. CK5 positivity distinguished triple negative tumors into rapidly and slowly recurring cancers. The IHC subtype ER or PR+HER2– luminal A presented a significantly lower risk of early tumor recurrence. Ki-67 expression denoted early-relapsing tumors and correlated linearly with tumor progression, since Ki-67 positivity declined gradually from early-relapsing toward late-recurring cancers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole J. Chew ◽  
Terry C. C. Lim Kam Sian ◽  
Elizabeth V. Nguyen ◽  
Sung-Young Shin ◽  
Jessica Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Particular breast cancer subtypes pose a clinical challenge due to limited targeted therapeutic options and/or poor responses to the existing targeted therapies. While cell lines provide useful pre-clinical models, patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and organoids (PDO) provide significant advantages, including maintenance of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, 3D architecture and for PDX, tumor–stroma interactions. In this study, we applied an integrated multi-omic approach across panels of breast cancer PDXs and PDOs in order to identify candidate therapeutic targets, with a major focus on specific FGFRs. Methods MS-based phosphoproteomics, RNAseq, WES and Western blotting were used to characterize aberrantly activated protein kinases and effects of specific FGFR inhibitors. PDX and PDO were treated with the selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors AZD4547 (FGFR1-3) and BLU9931 (FGFR4). FGFR4 expression in cancer tissue samples and PDOs was assessed by immunohistochemistry. METABRIC and TCGA datasets were interrogated to identify specific FGFR alterations and their association with breast cancer subtype and patient survival. Results Phosphoproteomic profiling across 18 triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) and 1 luminal B PDX revealed considerable heterogeneity in kinase activation, but 1/3 of PDX exhibited enhanced phosphorylation of FGFR1, FGFR2 or FGFR4. One TNBC PDX with high FGFR2 activation was exquisitely sensitive to AZD4547. Integrated ‘omic analysis revealed a novel FGFR2-SKI fusion that comprised the majority of FGFR2 joined to the C-terminal region of SKI containing the coiled-coil domains. High FGFR4 phosphorylation characterized a luminal B PDX model and treatment with BLU9931 significantly decreased tumor growth. Phosphoproteomic and transcriptomic analyses confirmed on-target action of the two anti-FGFR drugs and also revealed novel effects on the spliceosome, metabolism and extracellular matrix (AZD4547) and RIG-I-like and NOD-like receptor signaling (BLU9931). Interrogation of public datasets revealed FGFR2 amplification, fusion or mutation in TNBC and other breast cancer subtypes, while FGFR4 overexpression and amplification occurred in all breast cancer subtypes and were associated with poor prognosis. Characterization of a PDO panel identified a luminal A PDO with high FGFR4 expression that was sensitive to BLU9931 treatment, further highlighting FGFR4 as a potential therapeutic target. Conclusions This work highlights how patient-derived models of human breast cancer provide powerful platforms for therapeutic target identification and analysis of drug action, and also the potential of specific FGFRs, including FGFR4, as targets for precision treatment.


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