The racial disparity in breast cancer mortality in the 25 largest cities in the United States

• Published in: Cancer epidemiology 2012-04, Vol.36 (2), p.e147-e151
• Main Authors: Whitman, Steven, Orsi, Jennifer, Hurlbert, Marc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: African Americans - statistics & numerical data; Big cities; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - ethnology; Breast Neoplasms - mortality; Cancer; Cities; Epidemiology; European Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Female; Health Status Disparities; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Inequality; Internal Medicine; Mammography; Mortality; Poverty; Racial disparities; Segregation; United States - ethnology; Womens health
• ISSN: 1877-7821; 1877-783X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2011.10.012

Abstract Introduction : Although the racial disparity in breast cancer mortality is widely discussed there are no studies that analyze this phenomenon at the city level. Methods : We used national death files, abstracting those cases for which the cause was malignant neoplasm of the breast (ICD-10 = C50) for the numerators and American Community Survey data for the denominators. The 25 largest cities in the US were the units of analysis. Non-Hispanic Black:non-Hispanic White rate ratios (RRs) were calculated, along with their confidence intervals, as measures of the racial disparity. Seven ecological (city-level) variables were examined as possible correlates. Results : Almost all the NHB rates were greater than almost all the NHW rates. All but 3 of the RRs (range 0.78–2.09; median = 1.44) were >1, 13 of them significantly so. None of the RRs < 1 were significant. From among the 7 potential correlates, only median household income ( r = −0.43, p = 0.037) and a measure of segregation ( r = 0.42, r = 0.039) were significantly related to the RR. Conclusion : This is the first study that we have been able to locate which examines city-level racial disparities in breast cancer mortality. The results are of concern for several cities and for the field in general. A strategy for reducing this disparity in Chicago is in place and may serve as a model for other cities wanting to initiate a similar process. Clearly it is time to take action.