Why do Asian-American women have lower rates of breast conserving surgery: results of a survey regarding physician perceptions.
BACKGROUND
US Asian women with early-stage breast cancer are more likely to receive a modified radical mastectomy (MRM) than White women, contrary to clinical recommendations regarding breast conserving treatment (BCT).


METHODS
We surveyed physicians regarding treatment decision-making for early-stage breast cancer, particularly as it applies to Asian patients. Physicians were identified through the population-based Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry. Eighty (of 147) physicians completed a questionnaire on sociodemographics, professional training, clinical practices, and perspectives on the treatment decision-making processes.


RESULTS
The most important factors identified by physicians in the BCT/MRM decision were clinical in nature, including presence of multifocal disease (86% identified this as being an important factor for selecting MRM), tumor size (71% for MRM, 78% for BCT), cosmetic result (74% for BCT), and breast size (50% for MRM, 55% for BCT). The most important reasons cited for the Asian treatment patterns were patient attitudes toward not needing to preserve the breast (53%), smaller breast sizes (25%), and fear and cultural beliefs (12%).


CONCLUSIONS
These survey results suggest that physicians perceive major roles of both clinical and cultural factors in the BCT/MRM decision, but cultural factors may be more relevant in explaining surgical treatment patterns among Asians.
Pham
Jane T
JT
Northern California Cancer Center, Fremont, California, USA. janethuypham@yahoo.com
Allen
Laura J
LJ
Gomez
Scarlett L
SL
D001213:Asian; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires