%0 Journal Article
%T Breast cancer treatment and ethnicity in British Columbia, Canada
%A Parvin Yavari
%A Maria Barroetavena
%A T Greg Hislop
%A Chris D Bajdik
%J BMC Cancer
%D 2010
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1471-2407-10-154
%X Information on patients, tumour characteristics and treatment was obtained from BC Cancer Registry (BCCR) and BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) records. Treatment among ethnic groups was analyzed by stage at diagnosis and time period at diagnosis. Differences among the three ethnic groups were tested using chi-square tests, Fisher exact tests and a multivariate logistic model.There was no significant difference in overall surgery use for stage I and II disease between the ethnic groups, however there were significant differences when surgery with and without radiation were considered separately. These differences did not change significantly with time. Treatment with chemotherapy and hormone therapy did not differ among the minority groups.The description of treatment differences is the first step to guiding interventions that reduce ethnic disparities. Specific studies need to examine reasons for the observed differences and the influence of culture and beliefs.Breast cancer is an important public health issue and major cause of premature mortality in women around the world. Globally, it accounts for 22% of all new cancer diagnoses in women, and approximately 10% of cases in men and women combined. It represents 7% of cancer-related deaths worldwide [1]. In Canada during 2009, breast cancer is estimated to be the most common cancer in women, with more than 22,000 new diagnoses. It is expected to kill more than 5,000 Canadian women in 2009, more than any other type of cancer except lung. One in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during 2009, and 1 in 27 will die from the disease. Breast cancer accounted for an estimated 95,300 potential years of life lost in Canada during 2009 [1].Canada is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. Its immigrant population has increased substantially, contributing to growing ethnic communities. Racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, survival and mortality are well documented [2]; howeve
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/10/154