Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114959

Jeannette Jackson-Thompson, MSPH, PhD, Department of Health Management & Informatics, University of Missouri-Columbia, 324 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211-4380, (573) 882-7775, jacksonthompsonj@health.missouri.edu and Gentry A. White, BA, BS, MA, Department of Statistics, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Missouri-Columbia, 134 Middlebush, Columbia, MO 65211.

Background: Breast cancer accounts for about one –third of cancers among US women. Numerous studies have shown that early detection and timely, appropriate treatment increase 5-year survival. African American women with breast cancer are less likely than white women to survive five years. Lack of health insurance and low income are also associated with lower survival. Purpose: We evaluated efforts to reduce breast cancer incidence and mortality and effectiveness of screening policies and practices in Missouri. The study focused on statewide, county-level and regional data for Kansas City and St. Louis Metro areas and the six-county “Bootheel” region. Methods: We examined trends from 1996-2001 for incidence and mortality rates as well as trends in screening by race, statewide and for the three regions. Additionally, trends in the percentage of early stage diagnoses by race were examined. Finally, models were applied to the county-level data to evaluate the relationship in trends for screening, incidence and mortality rates. To evaluate trends over time, log-linear regression models were fitted to the data using iteratively re-weighted least squares regression. Results: While the rates for breast cancer incidence and mortality for African-American women decreased significantly from 1996-2001, the same rates for white women did not decrease significantly in this period. Early stage diagnoses showed little or no change for both African-American and white women from 1996-2001. Screening trends showed that rates had risen overall, though more so for white women than for African-American women. Recommendations: Efforts targeting low-income, underserved and uninsured women should continue.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to

• Describe methods used to analyze data and evaluate trends.
• Articulate differences in incidence, mortality and screening rates and trends by race, age and income. 3. Make recommendations for public health practice.

Keywords: African American, Breast Cancer

Related Web page: mcr.umh.edu

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.