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Existing data on breast cancer in African‐American women
Author(s) -
Clarke Christina A.,
West Dee W.,
Edwards Brenda K.,
Figgs Larry W.,
Kerner Jon,
Schwartz Ann G.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.11026
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , socioeconomic status , cancer , epidemiology , family medicine , cancer registry , health care , environmental health , gerontology , population , pathology , economic growth , economics
BACKGROUND Much of what is known about breast cancer in African‐American (AA) women is based on existing cancer surveillance data. Thus, it is important to consider the accuracy of these resources in describing the impact of breast cancer in AA populations. METHODS National cancer surveillance data bases are described, their most recent findings are presented, their limitations are outlined, and recommendations are made for improving their utility. RESULTS Breast cancer characteristics have been studied well in urban (but not in rural) and Southern AA populations. The recent Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program expansion and the continued improvement of state cancer registry operations will provide opportunities to study larger and more diverse AA subpopulations. Recommendations for improving the utility of surveillance data bases include adding new items to better describe correlates of advanced stage at diagnosis and reduced survival of AA women with breast cancer by linking surveillance data bases with other large data bases to provide area‐level socioeconomic status, health insurance status, and retrieving new information about patient comorbidities and biomarkers from medical records; improving the completeness and accuracy of treatment and survival information already collected for all patients; working to improve the dissemination of appropriate cancer data to nonresearch consumer communities, including clinicians, patients, advocates, politicians, and health officials; and the development of new training programs for cancer registrars and researchers. CONCLUSIONS The continued improvement of cancer surveillance systems should be considered important activities in this research agenda, because these data will play a far‐reaching role in the prevention and control of breast cancer in AA women. Cancer 2003;97(1 Suppl):211–21. Published 2003 by the American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11026