159648 Premenopausal breast cancer mortality in the United States, 1999-2003: Temporal trends of racial and urbanization status disparities

Monday, November 5, 2007

Kelly R. Ylitalo, BA , Department of Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Kathryn Cardarelli, PhD , School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Rohit P. Ojha, MPH , Department of Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Background: Few studies have addressed variation of premenopausal breast cancer mortality between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Objective: We characterized recent temporal trends of racial and urbanization status disparities for premenopausal breast cancer mortality in the United States (US). Methods: We queried CDC WONDER to obtain breast cancer mortality data for women ages 20-44 years for 1999 and 2003 from the 1999-2003 Compressed Mortality File (CMF). The CMF classified underlying cause of death according to International Classification of Diseases 10 criteria (breast cancer: C50) from all 50 states and Washington, DC. Data were stratified by race (Non-Hispanic Black or Non-Hispanic White) and urbanization status (large central metropolitan or non-metropolitan [micropolitan]). Mortality rate ratios (MRRs) were used for comparisons. Results: The premenopausal breast cancer MRR between Black and White females in the US declined from 1999-2003 (1999 MRR=2.42, 2003 MRR=2.07). Stratified data indicated that the MRR between Black and White females declined for US metropolitan areas (1999 MRR=2.52, 2003 MRR=2.15) and US non-metropolitan areas (1999 MRR=2.05, 2003 MRR=1.73). The MRR between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas (Black and White combined) increased slightly from 1999-2003 (1999 MRR=1.08, 2003 MRR=1.18). Conclusion: Our data suggest that racial disparities for premenopausal breast cancer mortality in the US have collectively improved from 1999-2003, but urbanization status disparities increased. The results should be interpreted cautiously because of the brief period of investigation. More importantly, our data suggest that the interaction of race and urbanization status may be a consideration for future epidemiologic studies of premenopausal breast cancer.

Learning Objectives:
1. By the end of the session, the participant will be able to understand that although disparities between Black and White premenopausal breast cancer mortality still exist, the mortality rate ratios decreased from 1999-2003. 2. By the end of the session, the participant will be able to understand that a potential interaction between race and urbanization status may affect premenopausal breast cancer mortality rates.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.