New research provides more explanation as to why more black women die of breast cancer than white women, despite the evidence of breast cancer incidence being higher among white women.

According to LA BioMed investigator Rowan Chelbowski, M.D, Ph.D., results of the study show a significantly lower breast cancer incidence among black women. However, while they were less likely to develop the illness, they were also less likely to survive it. Dr. Chelbowski says: "Ethnicity had a major effect on poor prognosis cancer risk. In black women, a higher proportion of breast cancers are diagnosed with unfavorable characteristics."

Dr. Chelbowski points out that genetic and biochemical factors may be the source for those high-grade, receptor-negative cancers. He points out that, "Black women might have a genetic profile that puts them at lower risk of getting breast cancer, but higher risk of this one specific high-grade tumor."

Dr. Chelbowski is available by phone or e-mail at 310-222-2217 or rchlebowwhi.

Contact: David Feuerherd
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310-215-0234

Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed)

The Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed) is one of the largest independent, not-for-profit biomedical research institutes in Los Angeles County. Affiliated with both the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the Institute has an annual budget of over $67 million and currently supports more than 1,000 research studies in areas such as cardiology, emerging infections, cancer, women's health, reproductive health, vaccine research, respiratory physiology, neonatology, molecular biology, and genetics. LA BioMed also plays a pivotal role in the training of young physician - scientists and scientists-to-be and is active in promoting the health and well being of nearby communities through community service programs that meet a variety of social and medical needs.