Women of color identified with HR-positive HER2-negative breast cancer type
In a significant study involving over 1,700 participants, it was found that there are statistically significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics between Black women and white women with HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. This research underscores a concerning trend: women of color, particularly Black women, often face worse outcomes compared to their white counterparts.
One of the key differences is the higher risk of breast cancer–specific death. Black women with stage IV HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer have a 24% higher risk of breast cancer–specific mortality compared to white women.
Socioeconomic factors and neighborhood deprivation also play a role. Research indicates that living in areas of higher socioeconomic deprivation adversely affects survival for breast cancer patients. However, the effect on mortality may be less predictive among Black patients, suggesting other factors modulate risk disparities.
Potential tumor biology differences could also be influencing prognosis and response to therapy. Some studies suggest underlying tumor genomic and molecular characteristics may differ by race in HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.
Variations in treatment delivery and adherence are another concern. Disparities in access to and utilization of guideline-based treatments, including endocrine therapy and novel agents like CDK4/6 inhibitors, may contribute to observed survival differences.
Randomized trials have examined racial differences in outcomes in HR-positive/HER2-negative node-positive breast cancer, highlighting ongoing concerns about equity in clinical outcomes.
HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer. It is characterised by the presence of estrogen receptors (ER-positive) and/or progesterone receptors (PR-positive) on breast cancer cells. HER2 status, on the other hand, is determined based on the amount of HER2 a cancer cell expresses on its surface. Cancer cells overexpressing HER2 are "HER2-positive," while those that are "HER2 negative" have typical or absent HER2 levels.
The 5-year relative survival rate for Black women with HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer is 88%, compared with 96% for white women.
It's important to note that a 2021 review found that HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer has the highest prevalence among white women, followed by Black women, American Indian/Alaskan Native women, and Hispanic women. Interestingly, Hispanic women and Asian and Pacific Islander women have the lowest mortality rates across all molecular subtypes of breast cancer.
Factors that limit access to quality or culturally relevant healthcare can also contribute to differences in breast cancer outcomes in women of color. Black women are the most likely to die from breast cancer compared with any other racial or ethnic group.
To help individuals feel in control of their diagnosis, it's recommended to learn more about HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer, speak with a cancer specialist, set goals, and seek guidance in counseling or joining a support group. Having HER2-negative breast cancer is associated with better outcomes because cancer typically grows slower.
Addressing these disparities requires improving access to care, understanding tumor biology across populations, and ensuring equitable delivery of advances in therapy.
- In the study, the baseline clinical characteristics between Black women and white women with triple-negative breast cancer were compared.
- The study revealed a concerning trend of worse outcomes for women of color, particularly Black women.
- The risk of breast cancer–specific death is higher for Black women with stage IV HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.
- Black women with this type of breast cancer have a 24% higher risk of breast cancer–specific mortality compared to white women.
- Socioeconomic factors and neighborhood deprivation impact the survival of breast cancer patients, but their effect on mortality may be less predictive among Black patients.
- Tumor biology differences could influence prognosis and response to therapy in HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.
- Some studies suggest that underlying tumor genomic and molecular characteristics may differ by race in HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.
- Variations in treatment delivery and adherence are a concern, contributing to observed survival differences.
- Endocrine therapy and novel agents like CDK4/6 inhibitors have different levels of access and utilization among racial groups.
- Randomized trials have shown ongoing racial differences in outcomes for HR-positive/HER2-negative node-positive breast cancer.
- HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer, characterized by estrogen receptors (ER-positive) and/or progesterone receptors (PR-positive) on breast cancer cells.
- HER2 status is determined by the amount of HER2 a cancer cell expresses on its surface – HER2-positive cancer cells overexpress HER2, while those with typical or absent HER2 levels are HER2 negative.
- The 5-year relative survival rate for Black women with HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer is 88%, compared with 96% for white women.
- A 2021 review found that, while HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer has the highest prevalence among white women, Hispanic women and Asian and Pacific Islander women have the lowest mortality rates across all molecular subtypes of breast cancer.
- Factors that limit access to quality or culturally relevant healthcare contribute to differences in breast cancer outcomes in women of color.
- Black women are the most likely to die from breast cancer compared with any other racial or ethnic group.
- To help individuals with HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer feel in control of their diagnosis, learning more about the disease, speaking with a cancer specialist, setting goals, and seeking counseling or joining a support group are recommended.
- Having HER2-negative breast cancer is associated with better outcomes due to the cancer growing slower.
- Addressing these disparities requires improving access to care, understanding tumor biology across populations, and ensuring equitable delivery of advances in therapy.
- Chronic diseases like chronic-kidney-disease, COPD, type-2-diabetes, and multiple-sclerosis have adverse effects on health and wellness.
- Eye-health issues, hearing problems, respiratory-conditions, and digestive-health complications can all impact a person's overall health and well-being.
- Alzheimers-disease and neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease are additionally concerning for elderly individuals, particularly those enrolled in Medicare.
- Mental-health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are common among women of all races and ethnicities, but may require specialized therapies-and-treatments to manage effectively.
- Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid-arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus can cause chronic pain and affect quality of life.
- MedCBD products (CBD-based treatments) show promise in managing pain and reducing inflammation for patients with chronic medical-conditions like arthritis and multiple-sclerosis.
- Women's-health issues, including pregnancy complications, menopausal symptoms, and reproductive cancers like breast cancer, require regular medical check-ups and preventative care.
- Migraines, a common headache disorder, can severely impact work productivity, personal relationships, and daily activities.
- Adopting healthy cooking, sustainable-living, and mindfulness practices can help manage cardiovascular-health, improve mental-health, and contribute to overall well-being. Education-and-self-development in the form of personal-growth workshops, or goal-setting and skills-training courses, can further support these pursuits.
