Key result
Arab Muslim and ultra-orthodox Jewish women present with ~6-fold higher metastatic breast cancer rates.
Why the study?
Prospective data on breast cancer disparities related to ethnicity and religion outside the U.S. were scarce, with no prior national studies examining ethno-religious inequities in Israel.
Cohort (n=219)
Ethno-religious inequities in breast cancer presentation in Israel are driven primarily by differences in early detection and stage at diagnosis, with distinct survivorship trajectories shaped by cultural and spiritual contexts.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Disparities suggest screening access gaps in these groups; leaves open cultural drivers of advanced presentation.
e13633 Background: Breast cancer disparities related to ethnicity and religion are well described in U.S.-based populations, but prospective data from other healthcare systems are scarce. No national studies have previously examined ethno-religious inequities in breast cancer presentation and survivorship in Israel. By providing the first prospective national data outside the U.S. context, this study addresses a critical gap in understanding how social and cultural determinants shape both stage at diagnosis and early survivorship outcomes. Methods: This ethics board–approved prospective cohort enrolled 219 consecutively diagnosed breast cancer patients during the 2025 calendar year. Participants included Arab Muslim women (N = 38), Jewish ultra-orthodox women (N = 51), and other Jewish women (N = 128). Clinical variables included age, menopausal status, mode of diagnosis, stage, tumor size, biologic subtype, and treatment patterns. Survivorship outcomes were assessed using validated instruments evaluating quality of life (FACT-G, FACT-BC), endocrine symptoms (FACT-ES), anxiety and depression (PROMIS), and spirituality (FACIT-Sp, Systems of Belief Inventory). Between-group comparisons were performed. By the time of presentation, correlative analyses between clinical characteristics and patient-reported outcomes will be completed. Results: Significant ethno-religious inequities were observed at diagnosis. Arab Muslim and ultra-orthodox Jewish women were younger and more often pre-menopausal (p = 0.016). Screening detection was less frequent among Arab Muslim women, who more commonly presented via self-palpation. Stage at diagnosis differed significantly by group (p = 0.011), with higher rates of metastatic disease among Arab Muslim (15.8%) and ultra-orthodox Jewish women (12.5%) compared with other Jewish women (2.4%; p = 0.012). Larger tumors (T3–4) were also more prevalent among minority groups (p = 0.015). Time from diagnosis to first treatment did not differ. Arab Muslim women reported significantly lower overall, physical, emotional, and functional quality of life and higher anxiety (all p < 0.05), despite significantly stronger spiritual wellbeing (p≤0.002). Ultra-orthodox Jewish women demonstrated higher overall and social quality of life and lower depression compared with other Jewish women (p≤0.034). Conclusions: Ethno-religious inequities in breast cancer are driven primarily by differences in early detection and stage at diagnosis, with distinct survivorship trajectories shaped by cultural and spiritual contexts. Equity-focused strategies should integrate early detection with culturally adapted survivorship care.
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Paluch–Shimon et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Breast cancer (n=219). Arab Muslim and ultra-orthodox Jewish ethnicity/religion vs. Other Jewish ethnicity/religion was evaluated on Metastatic disease at diagnosis (p=0.012). Arab Muslim and ultra-orthodox Jewish women presented with significantly higher rates of metastatic breast cancer (15.8% and 12.5%, respectively) compared with other Jewish women (2.4%; p=0.012).
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