Health Snapshots: Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is more common in women who live in the San Francisco Bay Area than the rest of the U.S. and rates are approximately 50% higher than in most European countries. But the incidence varies by race and ethnicity. From 1988-1993, the rate per 100,000 women was 128 for whites, 102 for blacks, 86 for Japanese, 83 for Latinas, 76 for Filipinas, and 69 for Chinese women. Survival also varied by ethnicity, even when tumors were found early. Whites and Chinese had significantly higher 5-year survival than Hispanic, black and Filipino women who experienced the lowest survival rates.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Septembers, 1997, pp. 1311

Reproductive health events, such as number of pregnancies and a history of multiple miscarriages are typically associated with hysterectomies. A recent national study that included a cross section of women aged 25-49 found that low levels of education are also associated with hysterectomy. Researchers speculated that women with a college education are treated with more respect by health care providers.
Journal of Women's Health, June 1997 pp. 309-316