Survival of Black Women with Breast Cancer in South Africa
Author Information
Author(s): A.R.P. Walker, B.F. Walker, E.N. Tshabalala, C. Isaacson, I. Segal
Primary Institution: South African Institute for Medical Research
Hypothesis
What are the survival rates of urban black women with breast cancer in South Africa?
Conclusion
Urban black women in South Africa have significantly shorter survival times from breast cancer compared to white patients.
Supporting Evidence
- 50% of patients were dead within 1.1 to 1.4 years after diagnosis.
- 86% and 73% of patients had died in the two series studied.
- Most patients presented with advanced stages of breast cancer.
Takeaway
This study found that black women in urban South Africa who get breast cancer don't live as long as white women with the same disease.
Methodology
A retrospective study using hospital records of breast cancer patients from Baragwanath Hospital over two periods.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to incomplete records and reliance on patient-reported information.
Limitations
Some patient records were missing or incomplete, and the sample size for the first series was small.
Participant Demographics
Patients were urban black women from Soweto, with a mean age of approximately 51 years.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
39% to 61%
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