Speaking at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology meeting in Los Angeles, Dr. Meena Moran, of the Yale School of Medicine, in New Haven, Conn., pointed out African-American women are diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age and have larger tumors and more lymph node involvement than Caucasian women.

Moran's study followed 207 African American women and 2,164 Caucasian women -- all had lumpectomies in which only the tumor, not the entire breast, was removed -- over a 30-year period. She determined African-American patients had a significantly higher rate of relapse in the breast and lymph nodes, but no differences in the rate of cancer spreading or in overall survival.

Moran explained her findings do not mean African-American women should not have lumpectomies, but greater attention be paid to ensure the tumor is completely removed and follow up radiation therapy is adequate.

"We hope that patients and physicians will help reduce the gap in the disparities between the two populations by improving early detection/screening, better access to care and compliance with chemotherapy and radiation," Moran said in a statement.