Abstract 606A: Biological predictors and the impact of cancer among African American women
Authors: Davis Claudia M. 
Published: August 2018

African American women have a lower incidence of breast cancer yet, they have an overall higher mortality rate compared with women of other racial groups. Furthermore, some African American women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at an advanced stage when compared to other women and are also more likely to have biomarkers that are estrogen and progesterone receptor negative and have a greater propensity to be diagnosed with variant forms of breast cancer when compared with other women. These aforementioned factors may affect a women's quality of life. While the literature is robust with psychosocial and behavioral factors that contribute to the quality of life that African American women experience; to date, there has been a paucity of empirical data that have investigated the role of biological predictors and its effect on the lives of these women. To that end, the specific aim of this study was to test a model and investigate the role of biological risk factors estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), triple negative breast cancer, Breast CAncer gene (BRCA1/2), Tumor Protein 53 gene (TP53, p53), age &lt;45, Basal Metabolic Index (BMI), and age of first pregnancy that may affect the quality of life, thus having an impact on the lives of African American breast cancer survivors. These factors are hypothesized as impacting the quality of lives of these women and their families. The Impact of Cancer is defined as negative or positive occurrences/after-effects along the breast cancer continuum. The Impact of Cancer (IOCv2) captures the multidimensional aspect of the cancer experience that is specific for cancer survivors and their quality of life.

Methods: As part of a larger cross-sectional study, breast cancer survivors completed a demographic data questionnaire inclusive of biological risk factors and the impact of cancer scale. A multiple linear regression was performed to determine the relationship between the two variables. Utilizing recruitment flyers, support groups and word-of-mouth, we recruited and screened 169 women from breast cancer support groups and community dwellers in Southern and Northern California. One hundred and sixty women were eligible and n=155 participated. Inclusion criteria were women who self-identified as African/Black American, age 25 year or older, diagnosis of breast cancer and at least 1-year post-active treatment.

Results: Among the biological predictors, none were statistically significant as predictors of the impact of cancer in the lives of these survivors. The results revealed a trend in survivors who were diagnosed before age 45 (p=.077) that their breast cancer experience had a positive impact on their lives.Conclusion: Understanding biological predictors and the unique interplay of these roles may be necessary along the survivorship trajectory. Additional exploration of psycho social predictors and inclusion of specific moderators may be warranted.

Citation Format: Claudia M. Davis. Biological predictors and the impact of cancer among African American women [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 606A.