Socioeconomic disparity in breast cancer detection in Hong Kong--a high income city: retrospective epidemiological study using the Breast Cancer Registry.

<h4>Background</h4>It is not known whether socioeconomic disparities affect the detection of breast cancer in Asian countries where the incidence of breast cancer is a rising trend. In this study, we explore the socioeconomic profiles of women and the stage of the disease at the time of...

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Main Authors: Josette Sin Yee Chor, Holly Ching Yu Lam, Amy Chan, Hang Mei Lee, Eliza Fok, Sian Griffiths, Polly Cheung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2014-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0107630&type=printable
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author Josette Sin Yee Chor
Holly Ching Yu Lam
Amy Chan
Hang Mei Lee
Eliza Fok
Sian Griffiths
Polly Cheung
author_facet Josette Sin Yee Chor
Holly Ching Yu Lam
Amy Chan
Hang Mei Lee
Eliza Fok
Sian Griffiths
Polly Cheung
author_sort Josette Sin Yee Chor
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>It is not known whether socioeconomic disparities affect the detection of breast cancer in Asian countries where the incidence of breast cancer is a rising trend. In this study, we explore the socioeconomic profiles of women and the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis in breast cancer patients aged 40 or over in Hong Kong.<h4>Method</h4>During the period 2008 to 2011, 5393 breast cancer patients registered with the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Registry. Participants and their clinicians were asked to complete standardised questionnaires including patient socio-demographics, health history and risk factors, the course of the disease, post-treatment physical discomfort and psychosocial impact, follow-up recurrence and survival status.<h4>Results</h4>Monthly household incomes, educational levels and the practice of regular screening are independently associated with the stage of the disease at diagnosis. Higher socioeconomic status and a higher educational level were associated with an earlier stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Yearly clinical examinations, ultrasound and mammographic screening every 2 to 3 years were significantly associated with the earlier detection of breast cancer.<h4>Conclusion</h4>There were socioeconomic disparities among Hong Kong women who were found to have breast cancer. Population-based screening policies, including raising awareness among women at risk, should be implemented.
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spelling doaj-art-8eb03ae534074c86b2a08ed1f90de6922025-08-20T03:01:18ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032014-01-01910e10763010.1371/journal.pone.0107630Socioeconomic disparity in breast cancer detection in Hong Kong--a high income city: retrospective epidemiological study using the Breast Cancer Registry.Josette Sin Yee ChorHolly Ching Yu LamAmy ChanHang Mei LeeEliza FokSian GriffithsPolly Cheung<h4>Background</h4>It is not known whether socioeconomic disparities affect the detection of breast cancer in Asian countries where the incidence of breast cancer is a rising trend. In this study, we explore the socioeconomic profiles of women and the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis in breast cancer patients aged 40 or over in Hong Kong.<h4>Method</h4>During the period 2008 to 2011, 5393 breast cancer patients registered with the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Registry. Participants and their clinicians were asked to complete standardised questionnaires including patient socio-demographics, health history and risk factors, the course of the disease, post-treatment physical discomfort and psychosocial impact, follow-up recurrence and survival status.<h4>Results</h4>Monthly household incomes, educational levels and the practice of regular screening are independently associated with the stage of the disease at diagnosis. Higher socioeconomic status and a higher educational level were associated with an earlier stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Yearly clinical examinations, ultrasound and mammographic screening every 2 to 3 years were significantly associated with the earlier detection of breast cancer.<h4>Conclusion</h4>There were socioeconomic disparities among Hong Kong women who were found to have breast cancer. Population-based screening policies, including raising awareness among women at risk, should be implemented.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0107630&type=printable
spellingShingle Josette Sin Yee Chor
Holly Ching Yu Lam
Amy Chan
Hang Mei Lee
Eliza Fok
Sian Griffiths
Polly Cheung
Socioeconomic disparity in breast cancer detection in Hong Kong--a high income city: retrospective epidemiological study using the Breast Cancer Registry.
PLoS ONE
title Socioeconomic disparity in breast cancer detection in Hong Kong--a high income city: retrospective epidemiological study using the Breast Cancer Registry.
title_full Socioeconomic disparity in breast cancer detection in Hong Kong--a high income city: retrospective epidemiological study using the Breast Cancer Registry.
title_fullStr Socioeconomic disparity in breast cancer detection in Hong Kong--a high income city: retrospective epidemiological study using the Breast Cancer Registry.
title_full_unstemmed Socioeconomic disparity in breast cancer detection in Hong Kong--a high income city: retrospective epidemiological study using the Breast Cancer Registry.
title_short Socioeconomic disparity in breast cancer detection in Hong Kong--a high income city: retrospective epidemiological study using the Breast Cancer Registry.
title_sort socioeconomic disparity in breast cancer detection in hong kong a high income city retrospective epidemiological study using the breast cancer registry
url https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0107630&type=printable
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