This paper describes the ethnic and socioeconomic correlates of psychosocial functioning in a cohort of long-term nonrecurring breast cancer survivors and determines the contribution of ongoing difficulties, including symptoms and concerns about cancer, to the ethnic and socioeconomic differences in functioning levels.

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 (average 6.1 months following diagnosis, at approximately 30.5 months post diagnosis, at approximately 40.6 months post diagnosis). Outcomes included standardized measures of functioning (MOS SF-36).

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 scores (p=0.01), compared with White and Hispanic women, but higher mental health scores (p<0.01) compared with White and Hispanic women. In the final adjusted model, race was significantly related to physical functioning, 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 physical functioning compared to currently working (both p<0.01).

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.