A recent study published in the journal Cancer has found a link between household income and recurrence score, as well as mortality, in ER-positive breast cancer.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan, looked at data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, which collects information on cancer incidence and survival in the United States. The researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 women with ER-positive breast cancer who were diagnosed between 2004 and 2013.
The researchers found that women with lower household incomes had higher recurrence scores, which are used to predict the likelihood of cancer recurrence. They also found that women with lower household incomes had higher mortality rates.
The researchers suggest that this link between household income and recurrence score, as well as mortality, may be due to differences in access to care. Women with lower incomes may not have access to the same quality of care as those with higher incomes, which could lead to poorer outcomes.
The researchers also suggest that this link could be due to differences in lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise. Women with lower incomes may not have access to the same healthy foods or have the same opportunities for physical activity as those with higher incomes, which could lead to poorer health outcomes.
The findings of this study are important, as they suggest that socioeconomic factors may play a role in the outcomes of ER-positive breast cancer. This could have implications for how healthcare providers approach the treatment of this type of cancer.
It is important to note that this study was observational in nature, and further research is needed to confirm the findings. Additionally, the study did not look at the effects of other factors, such as race or ethnicity, which could also play a role in the outcomes of ER-positive breast cancer.
Overall, this study provides important insight into the link between household income and recurrence score, as well as mortality, in ER-positive breast cancer. Further research is needed to confirm the findings and to explore the effects of other factors, such as race or ethnicity, on the outcomes of this type of cancer.