Geographic variations in breast cancer mortality: do higher rates imply elevated incidence or poorer survival? Am J Public Health 1998 Mar;88(3):458-60
Date
03/31/1998Pubmed ID
9518983Pubmed Central ID
PMC1508360DOI
10.2105/ajph.88.3.458Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0031594403 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 32 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: Mortality rates from breast cancer are approximately 25% higher for women in the northeastern United States than for women in the South or West. This study examined the hypothesis that the elevation is due to decreased survival rather than increased incidence.
METHODS: Data on breast cancer incidence, treatment, and mortality were reviewed.
RESULTS: The elevated mortality in the Northeast is apparent only in older women. For women aged 65 years and older, breast cancer mortality is 26% higher in New England than in the South, while incidence is only 3% higher. Breast cancer mortality for older women by state correlates poorly with incidence (r = 0.28).
CONCLUSIONS: Those seeking to explain the excess breast cancer mortality in the Northeast should assess survival and should examine differences in cancer control practices that affect survival.
Author List
Goodwin JS, Freeman JL, Freeman D, Nattinger ABAuthor
Ann B. Nattinger MPH, MD Vice Dean, Associate Provost, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Breast Neoplasms
Female
Humans
Incidence
Middle Aged
Survival Rate
United States
