Why do Breast Cancer Statistics from Marin County often represent only White, non-Hispanic Women?
There are two major reasons why incidence rates are not usually published for minority populations in Marin County. The first reason is a concern for and protection of patient anonymity and confidentiality. Minorities represent 16% of Marin County and breast cancer incidence rates are lower among minorities compared to whites. Given the small numbers of breast cancer cases and the relatively small minority population of Marin County, patients might be inadvertently identified, especially if characteristics in addition to age are reported. The second reason involves statistical estimates. When statistical estimates are derived from very small populations they can be unstable, meaning they have wide confidence intervals. The reliability of an estimate depends on the actual number of cases in a defined category. Responsible data reporting requires the suppression of estimates that may have invalid interpretation.
