Abstract 3584: Cardiovascular risk factors and co-morbid conditions among African-American and Caucasian breast cancer survivors
Authors: Gallicchio Lisa M. , Helzlsouer Kathy J. 
Published: August 2012

Background: African-American (AA) women experience poorer survival after a breast cancer diagnosis compared to Caucasian women. This difference persists even after taking into account access to care, tumor characteristics, and treatments. One possible explanation is that the racial disparity in survival after a breast cancer diagnosis is due to other co-morbid conditions that may worsen as a result of treatment. Of particular concern are cardiovascular-related co-morbidities that may contribute to morbidity and mortality among breast cancer patients treated with cardiotoxic agents. The present analysis examines racial differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and co-morbid conditions among breast cancer survivors participating in a registry-based survey study. Methods: A self-administered survey was mailed to all cancer survivors listed in a hospital registry between 1996 and 2007. The surveys were returned by 851 women with a history of breast cancer who identified themselves as being either of AA (n = 121) or Caucasian (n = 730) race. Differences in cardiovascular risk factors and co-morbid conditions by race were examined using Student's t-tests and Chi-square tests. Results: The AA and Caucasian breast cancer survivors were similar in terms of age (AA 63.4 years, Caucasian 62.2 years; p=0.3) and years since diagnosis (AA 7.2, Caucasian 7.6; p=0.5) as well as the percentages receiving chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal treatment. However, the AA breast cancer survivors were more likely than their Caucasian counterparts to be current smokers (12.1% versus 6.4%; p=0.02), to have a body mass index of &gt;30 kg/m2 (55.8% versus 25.2%; p&lt;0.01), and to report taking an anti-diabetic (18.2% versus 7.0%; p&lt;0.01) or anti-hypertensive (61.2% versus 40.0%; p&lt;0.01) medication. In addition, compared to the Caucasian breast cancer survivors, significantly more AA women reported having been diagnosed with diabetes (35.3% versus 10.1%; p&lt;0.01), high cholesterol (60.0% versus 49.8%; p=0.04), or hypertension (73.3% versus 40.8%; p&lt;0.01). Further, AA women were more likely that Caucasian women to report a history of a stroke (3.3% versus 1.0%; p=0.03), poor circulation (13.3% versus 6.2%; p&lt;0.01) or blot clots (10.8% versus 5.9%; p=0.04). Conclusions: AA breast cancer survivors have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors and co-morbid conditions compared to Caucasian breast cancer survivors. The presence of these risk factors and co-morbidities may explain, in part, racial disparities in survival after a breast cancer diagnosis. If present at diagnosis, the presence of these cardiovascular co-morbidities may also have implications for breast cancer treatment, especially if planned therapies include those that increase a woman's risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This research was supported, in part, by a grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3584. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3584