Life
African-American breast cancer survivors report inadequate information, options, support services
African-American breast cancer survivors were satisfied with their cancer treatment, but most were never offered clinical trials opportunities or support services during or after their treatment, according to a study by a UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher and her community partner, Rev. Tammie Dynse.
The study, “The Unmet Needs of African-American Women with Breast Cancer,” involved interviews with 137 African-American women who survived breast cancer. Researchers sought to assess patients’ clinical experiences, concerns and needs, asking participants questions about their treatment, access to information, support services and clinical trials, insurance and employment status, general health and lingering effects of cancer treatment.
“Anyone who takes care of people with cancer should be aware of these concerns,” said Marlene M. von Friederichs-Fitzwater, director of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Outreach Research and Education Program, principal investigator and lead author of the study, which was published online in Advances in Breast Cancer Research in April. “We know that one powerful factor in cancer outcomes is the extent to which patients obtain information and participate in their treatment decision-making.”
African American women have the highest incidence of breast cancer of any population group in the United States, and the highest mortality rates, according to the National Cancer Institute. The death rate — 33 per 100,000 — is more than twice that of Asian-American women and Hispanic women.
But while many studies have documented African American disparities in breast cancer screening, detection, mortality and disease staging, few have looked at the experiences from a patient’s post-treatment and survivorship perspective.
For the study, von Friederichs-Fitzwater telephoned African-American women throughout the Sacramento region known to have been treated for breast cancer. The women were identified through support groups and advocacy organizations, survivorship events and other agencies.