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Retrospective, 5‐year surgical audit comparing breast cancer in indigenous and non‐indigenous women in Far North Queensland
Author(s) -
Shaw Ian M.,
Elston Timothy J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1046/j.1445-2197.2003.02751.x
Subject(s) - indigenous , medicine , breast cancer , retrospective cohort study , population , cancer , audit , lung cancer , demography , gynecology , surgery , oncology , environmental health , ecology , management , sociology , economics , biology
Background: Breast cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in Aboriginal women after cervical and lung cancer. Methods: A retrospective 5‐year surgical audit comparing breast cancer in indigenous and non‐indigenous women in Far North Queensland was undertaken. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was similar for indigenous (54.0 years) and non‐indigenous (55.4 years) women. Indigenous women presented with slightly larger tumours (mean 32.2 mm vs 23 mm; P = 0.07). More indigenous women had involved lymph nodes ( P = 0.03). Despite larger tumour size, indigenous women were considered suitable for breast conservation surgery at a rate similar to the non‐indigenous population. Conclusions: Indigenous women present with more advanced breast cancer in Far North Queensland despite similar detection rates among the screened indigenous and non‐indigenous population. Indigenous women received similar rates of breast conservation surgery. Differences in mortality rates will require further study.