Social and racial differences in selection of breast cancer adjuvant chemotherapy regimens.
OBJECTIVE
Breast cancer outcomes are worse among black women and women of lower socioeconomic status. The purpose of this study was to investigate racial and social differences in selection of breast cancer adjuvant chemotherapy regimens.


METHODS
Detailed information on patient, disease, and treatment factors was collected prospectively on 957 patients who were receiving breast cancer adjuvant chemotherapy in 101 oncology practices throughout the United States. Adjuvant chemotherapy regimens included in any of several published guidelines were considered standard. Receipt of nonstandard regimens was examined according to clinical and nonclinical factors. Differences between groups were assessed using chi2 tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with use of nonstandard regimens.


RESULTS
Black race (P = .008), lower educational attainment (P = .003), age 70 years (P = .001), higher stage (P < .0001), insurance type (P = .048), employment status (P = .045), employment type (P = .025), and geographic location (P = .021) were associated with the use of nonstandard regimens in univariate analyses. In multivariate analysis, black race (P = .020), lower educational attainment (P = .024), age > or = 70 years (P = .032), and higher stage (P < .0001) were associated with receipt of nonstandard regimens.


CONCLUSIONS
The more frequent use of non-guideline-concordant adjuvant chemotherapy regimens in black women and women with lower educational attainment may contribute to less favorable outcomes in these populations. Addressing such differences in care may improve cancer outcomes in vulnerable populations.
Griggs
Jennifer J
JJ
University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. jengrigg@umich.edu
Culakova
Eva
E
Sorbero
Melony E S
ME
Poniewierski
Marek S
MS
Wolff
Debra A
DA
Crawford
Jeffrey
J
Dale
David C
DC
Lyman
Gary H
GH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018579:Patient Selection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States