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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Bowen
Deborah J
DJ
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, M4-B402, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
Alfano
Catherine M
CM
McGregor
Bonnie A
BA
Kuniyuki
Alan
A
Bernstein
Leslie
L
Meeske
Kathy
K
Baumgartner
Kathy B
KB
Fetherolf
Josala
J
Reeve
Bryce B
BB
Smith
Ashley Wilder
AW
Ganz
Patricia A
PA
McTiernan
Anne
A
Barbash
Rachel Ballard
RB
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data