A significant study from the University of Chicago has revealed a stark connection between social vulnerability and breast cancer outcomes. The research, published in Breast Cancer Research, demonstrates that women living in socially vulnerable communities are more likely to present with advanced stages of breast cancer and face higher mortality rates.
The study, which analyzed data from 3,499 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2012 and 2019, utilized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to assess community-level social and environmental factors. Researchers found that for each decile increase in social vulnerability, the odds of presenting with stage III or IV breast cancer increased by 11% and 15%, respectively, compared to ductal carcinoma in situ.
Moreover, patients from highly vulnerable communities had more than double the odds of presenting with stage III disease and triple the odds of stage IV disease compared to those from low vulnerability areas. The disparity extended to survival rates, with women from the most vulnerable communities experiencing 1.5 times greater risk of all-cause mortality within five years of diagnosis.
The study highlights the complex interplay between social determinants of health and cancer outcomes. Factors such as socioeconomic status, household composition, minority status, and housing type all contribute to the observed disparities. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and policies to address the root causes of health inequities in breast cancer care.
By identifying modifiable social and environmental factors, this research provides a roadmap for developing geographically tailored strategies to improve access to care and reduce disparities in breast cancer outcomes.
See: “Social vulnerability is associated with advanced breast cancer presentation and all-cause mortality: a retrospective cohort study” (December 3, 2024)
