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BMC Cancer

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Breast Cancer | Research

Epidemiological, clinical, and pathological characteristics of invasive breast cancer in Bedouin and Jewish women in southern Israel: a retrospective comparative study

Authors: Itamar Ben Shitrit, Ao Wang, Karny Ilan, Ravit Agassi, Sofyan Abu Freih, Julie Vaynshtein

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Invasive breast cancer (IBC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death among women in Israel, regardless of ethnicity. This study compared IBC epidemiological, clinical, and pathological characteristics in Bedouin and Jewish patients in southern Israel.

Methods

Medical records of 1514 Jewish and 191 Bedouin women with IBC treated at Soroka University Medical Center between 2014 and 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Baseline measures and tumor characteristics were compared between groups. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed using log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

Bedouin patients exhibited a significantly younger age at diagnosis (median 48 vs. 62 years, p < 0.001), larger tumor size (median 2.5 vs. 2.13 cm, p < 0.001), and higher metastasis rate (18.8% vs. 12.7%, p = 0.03) compared to Jewish patients. In early-stage (non-metastatic) disease, Jewish and Bedouin patients had comparable overall survival (OS) rates (127 vs. 126 months, p = 0.2), consistent across stages 1 to 3. However, among patients with metastatic disease, Bedouins exhibited significantly longer OS (76.6 vs. 37.8 months, p = 0.006). Disease-free survival (DFS) showed no ethnic differences (not reached vs. 122 months, p = 0.31). There were no significant differences in OS between Bedouin and Jewish patients undergoing various treatment modalities for early-stage disease: surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and systemic neoadjuvant therapy.

Conclusion

Breast cancer among Bedouin women in southern Israel manifests at a younger age, with larger tumors and more advanced stages than in Jewish women. However, recent data indicate no differences in OS and DFS between the ethnic groups despite past disparities in prognosis.

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Title: Epidemiological, clinical, and pathological characteristics of invasive breast cancer in Bedouin and Jewish women in southern Israel: a retrospective comparative study
Authors: Itamar Ben Shitrit
Ao Wang
Karny Ilan
Ravit Agassi
Sofyan Abu Freih
Julie Vaynshtein
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-024-12051-w

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