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Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 1/2007

01-11-2007 | Clinical Trial

Possible socioeconomic and ethnic disparities in quality of life in a cohort of breast cancer survivors

Authors: Deborah J. Bowen, Catherine M. Alfano, Bonnie A. McGregor, Alan Kuniyuki, Leslie Bernstein, Kathy Meeske, Kathy B. Baumgartner, Josala Fetherolf, Bryce B. Reeve, Ashley Wilder Smith, Patricia A. Ganz, Anne McTiernan, Rachel Ballard Barbash

Published in: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment | Issue 1/2007

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Abstract

Background

This paper describes the ethnic and socioeconomic correlates of functioning in a cohort of long-term nonrecurring breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Participants (n = 804) in this study were women from the Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study, a population-based, multicenter, multiethnic, prospective study of women newly diagnosed with in situ or Stages I to IIIA breast cancer. Measurements occurred at three timepoints following diagnosis. Outcomes included standardized measures of functioning (MOS SF-36).

Results

Overall, these long-term survivors reported values on two physical function subscales of the SF-36 slightly lower than population norms. Black women reported statistically significantly lower physical functioning (PF) scores (P = 0.01), compared with White and Hispanic women, but higher mental health (MH) scores (P < 0.01) compared with White and Hispanic women. In the final adjusted model, race was significantly related to PF, with Black participants and participants in the “Other” ethnic category reporting poorer functioning compared to the White referent group (P < 0.01, 0.05). Not working outside the home, being retired or disabled and being unemployed (on leave, looking for work) were associated with poorer PF compared to currently working (both P < 0.01).

Conclusion

These data indicate that race/ethnicity influences psychosocial functioning in breast cancer survivors and can be used to identify need for targeted interventions to improve functioning.
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Metadata
Title
Possible socioeconomic and ethnic disparities in quality of life in a cohort of breast cancer survivors
Authors
Deborah J. Bowen
Catherine M. Alfano
Bonnie A. McGregor
Alan Kuniyuki
Leslie Bernstein
Kathy Meeske
Kathy B. Baumgartner
Josala Fetherolf
Bryce B. Reeve
Ashley Wilder Smith
Patricia A. Ganz
Anne McTiernan
Rachel Ballard Barbash
Publication date
01-11-2007
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment / Issue 1/2007
Print ISSN: 0167-6806
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7217
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-006-9479-2

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