Racial/ethnic disparities in risk of breast cancer mortality by molecular subtype and stage at diagnosis

Purpose Previous research has found significant survival disparities between Black and White women among select stages and subtypes of breast cancer, however other racial/ethnic groups have been less well-studied. This study expands on previous research, examining differences in breast cancer-specific mortality across multiple racial and ethnic groups. Methods Women diagnosed with a first primary invasive breast cancer between 2010 and 2016 who were 20-85 years of age at diagnosis were identified from 18 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries. Subtypes were defined by joint hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. Cox proportional hazards models for each stage and subtype were fit, with non-Hispanic white women as the reference group. Effect modification by age at diagnosis (< 50, >= 50) was found and thus analyses were age-stratified. Results After multivariable adjustment, younger Black women had greater risks of breast cancer-specific death for all stages of HR+/HER2-, and certain stages of HR+/HER2+ , TN, and HR-/HER2 + breast cancer. Asian/Pacific Islander women generally had a lower hazard of breast cancer-specific death. Older Hispanic White women had a lower hazard of breast cancer-specific death for stages I-III HR + /HER2- and stage II TN breast cancer. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that different racial/ethnic groups experience different risks of breast cancer-specific mortality by stage and subtype. Efforts to address survival disparities should place additional focus on young Black women, as they experience meaningful disparities in breast cancer-specific mortality.

Automated summary

This study found significant disparities in breast cancer-specific mortality across different racial/ethnic groups, with young Black women having higher risks in multiple subtypes and stages of breast cancer, while Asian/Pacific Islander women generally had lower risks. Efforts to address survival disparities should focus on young Black women.