[6062] Breast cancer in Pacific Island women: a comparative ethnic study of clinicopathological factors and outcomes. Papa NN, Robert W. Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI Background: Several studies have demonstrated that Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are at increased risk of developing breast cancer and have lower breast cancer survival rates than Caucasians. However clinicopathological factors have not been well studied in these populations. The Pacific Island Health Care Project is a unique program providing medical treatment for residents of underdeveloped US Trust Territories in the Pacific Basin. We evaluated multiple clinicopathological and prognostic factors in order to better understand this population. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 500 male and female patients treated for breast cancer was performed at Tripler Army Medical Center. They were categorized according to ethnicity, and clincopathological factors were evaluated, including Her-2/neu amplification, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, and stage at presentation. Results: The Caucasian group (n=285) revealed a Her-2/neu amplification rate of 27%. There was a higher incidence of Her-2/neu gene amplification in the Pacific Islander group (n=124) at 49% (p<0.05). The Pacific Islander group was further divided, which revealed patients from Micronesia, to include Truk, Palau and the Marshall Islands, experienced the greatest incidence of Her-2/neu amplification and presented with more advanced disease. Conclusion: Pacific Islanders are a geographically isolated population and is a rarely studied group. This breast cancer study of clinicopathological disease factors presents unique insights into disease biology and prognosis in the unique Pacific Islander population. This study demonstrates that this seldom studied population has a significantly increased incidence of Her-2/neu gene amplification, a known adverse prognostic factor, which warrants further investigation. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, 12/06 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.