Racial Disparity in Survival From Early Breast Cancer in the Department of Defense Healthcare System

BackgroundRacial disparity is often identified as a factor in survival from breast cancer in the United States. Current data regarding survival in patients treated in the Department of Defense Military Healthcare System is lacking. MethodsThe Department of Defense Automated Central Tumor Registry (ACTUR) was queried for all women diagnosed with Stage I or II breast cancer from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 2008. Statistical analyses evaluated demographics, surgical treatment, tumor stage, and survival rates. ResultsThere were 8,890 patients meeting inclusion criteria. Patients who were younger, Asian American (versus white or black), lower T and/or N stage had significantly improved survival rates. Interestingly, white and black patients demonstrated similar survival in this study. Patients with a longer period of time between diagnosis and treatment had no decrement in survival. As would be expected, patients with a longer recurrence free period enjoyed longer survival. ConclusionsSurvival from early stage breast cancer is equivalent between white and black patients in the Department of Defense Healthcare System. This finding is contrary to reports from our civilian counterparts and may be indicative of improved access to care and overall improved cancer surveillance. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:819-823. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.