Ethnicity and birthplace in relation to tumor size and stage in Asian American women with breast cancer.

Abstract

This study examined whether Asian American women with breast cancer have tumor characteristics associated with delayed detection of their disease. Breast cancer size and stage were examined in relation to subjects' ethnic group and birthplace, on the basis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program data. Asian-born Asian American women with breast cancer had a greater proportion of tumors larger than 1 cm at diagnosis (79%) than did US White women (70%) (P < .001). In contrast, the proportion of tumors larger than 1 cm among Asian American women born in the United States (67%) did not differ significantly from that among US White women. Lower utilization of breast cancer screening by Asian-born Asian American women is probably responsible for their greater proportion of tumors larger than 1 cm relative to US White women in the study population. Interventional measures should be taken to increase the use of mammographic screening by first-generation Asian American women.