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Differences in breast cancer biological characteristics between ethnic groups in New Zealand
M K Weston1, D P Moss, J Stewart
1University of Auckland, Middlemore Hospital, Otahuhu, Auckland, 2105, New Zealand.
Objective:
To investigate differences in breast cancer biological characteristics between ethnic groups in Auckland, New Zealand.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
Auckland Breast Cancer Study Group.
Participants:
All people diagnosed with breast cancer in the greater Auckland area between 2000 and 2005 who agreed to participate (1,577).
Main Outcome Measures:
Size, grade, lymph node status, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), grade allowing for size, all compared with ethnicity.
Results:
NZ Maori and Pacific Island participants had larger tumours (P < 0.0001), higher grade tumours (P < 0.0001) with more involved lymph nodes (P < 0.0001). When allowing for size, there was still an indication that NZ Maori people had higher grade tumours (P = 0.03). There was no difference in ER, PR and LVI between ethnic groups.
Conclusion:
These data suggest differences in tumour biology related to ethnicity in the Auckland population and this has implications for breast cancer screening and management.