Abstract
Background
This paper describes the ethnic and socioeconomic correlates of functioning in a cohort of long-term nonrecurring breast cancer survivors.
Methods
Participants (n = 804) in this study were women from the Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study, a population-based, multicenter, multiethnic, prospective study of women newly diagnosed with in situ or Stages I to IIIA breast cancer. Measurements occurred at three timepoints following diagnosis. Outcomes included standardized measures of functioning (MOS SF-36).
Results
Overall, these long-term survivors reported values on two physical function subscales of the SF-36 slightly lower than population norms. Black women reported statistically significantly lower physical functioning (PF) scores (P = 0.01), compared with White and Hispanic women, but higher mental health (MH) scores (P < 0.01) compared with White and Hispanic women. In the final adjusted model, race was significantly related to PF, with Black participants and participants in the “Other” ethnic category reporting poorer functioning compared to the White referent group (P < 0.01, 0.05). Not working outside the home, being retired or disabled and being unemployed (on leave, looking for work) were associated with poorer PF compared to currently working (both P < 0.01).
Conclusion
These data indicate that race/ethnicity influences psychosocial functioning in breast cancer survivors and can be used to identify need for targeted interventions to improve functioning.

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Acknowledgements
This manuscript presents original data from our study. A portion of these data were presented at the Cancer Survivorship Pathways to Health meeting of the National Cancer Institute, June 2004.
This research was supported by research contracts from the National Cancer Institute (N01-CN-75036-20, N01-CN-05228, N01-PC-67010) and by a training grant from the National Cancer Institute (R25 CA92408)
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Bowen, D.J., Alfano, C.M., McGregor, B.A. et al. Possible socioeconomic and ethnic disparities in quality of life in a cohort of breast cancer survivors. Breast Cancer Res Treat 106, 85–95 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-006-9479-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-006-9479-2