Faculty Publications

Racial Differences In Survival From Breast Cancer

Document Type

Letter

Journal/Book/Conference Title

JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association

Volume

273

Issue

13

First Page

1000

Abstract

I read with great interest the article by Dr Eley and colleagues regarding racial differences in survival from breast cancer. This investigation is one of the most complete, well-designed, and well-conducted studies to determine the nature of racial differences in breast cancer survival. The data-collection methods, management of confounding factors, and statistical analyses were exceptional. I have a question for the authors regarding frequency matching of white subjects to black subjects by age. By matching (overmatching) on this important variable, possible comparisons of age as a factor in survival were eliminated. Several studies have indicated significantly younger age at diagnosis in African-American women compared with white women, along with poorer survival rates, which may indicate basic biological differences between tumors in these two groups. Age may be a major explanatory variable in survival differences between races, in addition to or instead of those found in. © 1995, Jama, All rights reserved.

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

Original Publication Date

1-1-1995

DOI of published version

10.1001/jama.1995.03520370040031

Link to Full Text

Comments?

Share

COinS