Michigan's CA Research Shows Breast Conserving Therapy is a Good Option for African American Women

A recent study demonstrates breast-conserving therapy may be a good treatment option for African American women, according to the researchers at Beaumont Hospitals in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Breast-conserving therapy includes lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, conserving as much of the breast tissue as possible. In this study 699 women were treated with this therapy at Beaumont from 1980-2003. The results showed a clinical behavior distinctive to African American women and different from Caucasian women.

It was discerned that the African American women were younger and had much more aggressive cancers. They often required chemotherapy and lymph node irradiation as part of their breast cancer treatment. Even though breast cancer occurs much less frequently in African American women than Caucasian women, the mortality rate is higher.

A quote from Dr. Nicini, a cancer researcher at Beaumont Hospital, is important for African American women. Dr. Vicini says: "However, despite having more advanced disease, our results confirm the safety and effectiveness of breast conserving therapy in African-American women," says Dr. Vicini. "Our results are important because data on most cancer therapies are not as complete in minority populations. These results should reassure African-American women that breast conservation works just as well for them as other women and should remain an equal option in appropriately selected women."

Fifty percent of the African American Women in this study were younger than 50 years of age. Only 26 percent of Caucasian woman were younger than 50 years. Thirty six percent of the African American women had positive lymph nodes whereas only twenty six percent Caucasian women were positive lymph nodes.

Only a small percentage, only 13 percent of Caucasian women required lymph node irradiation and chemotherapy whereas 26 percent of African American women did. Only 19 percent of Caucasian women required chemotherapy as compared to 60 percent of African American patients.

But despite these seemingly bad statistics and much more aggressive disease. The African American women cancer treatment and outcome was very optimistic with the breast conserving therapy.

Source:

Beaumont Hospitals Breast Cancer Treatment

Cancer Journal