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

Pocock B, Nash S, Klein L, El-Tamer M, Schnabel FR, Joseph KA

Comprehensive Breast Center, Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA. bjp2117@columbia.edu

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.

Published 10 September 2007 in Am J Surg, 194(4): 521-3.
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