The association of smoking with breast cancer mortality is not well established. Results from the few studies to date are mixed. Data for ethnic minorities are sparse. The current study examined the association of active cigarette smoking with breast cancer and non-breast cancer mortality in a pooled sample of 1,368 New Mexico Hispanic women (n=556) and non-Hispanic white (NHW) women (n=812) diagnosed with a first primary invasive breast cancer from two case-control studies: the New Mexico Women's Health Study (NMWHS: 1992-1994) and the 4-Corner's Breast Cancer Study (4-CBCS: 1999-2004). The cases were ascertained by the New Mexico Tumor Registry. Baseline data were collected for smoking exposure and other relevant covariates (age, study, alcohol intake, body mass index, menopausal status, family history, parity, energy intake and expenditure). The National Death Index was used to determine vital status through December 31, 2008. A total of 312 deaths occurred over an average of 9.2 years of follow-up (NMWHS, 12.4; 4-CBCS, 7.2); 188 were breast cancer deaths. The prevalence of current and former smoking was 13% and 25% in Hispanic women compared to 16% and 32% in NHW women. Thirty-three percent of NHW women smoked for more than 13 pack-years versus 16% of Hispanic women. Hazard ratios were calculated using Cox Proportional analysis adjusting for the covariates. Cigarette smoking status (former, current) and pack-years were not associated with breast cancer mortality in Hispanic women. However, there was a non-significant positive association in NHW women who smoked (current: HR, 1.42, 95% CI 0.83-2.41; pack-years >13: HR, 1.42; 95% CI 0.90-2.24). In contrast, there were significant positive associations with non-breast cancer mortality in H women (pack-years >13: HR, 2.95; 95% CI 1.52-5.75) and NHW women (pack-years >13: HR, 2.08; 95% CI 1.25-3.45). These results do not support an association of smoking with breast cancer mortality, particularly in Hispanic women. However, smoking is significantly associated with non-breast cancer mortality in women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Citation Format: Kathy B. Baumgartner, Christina Pinkston, Avonne Connor, Stephanie Denkhoff, Dongyan Yang, Richard N. Baumgartner. Smoking and breast cancer survival among New Mexican Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A71.