A study conducted by University of Surrey academics and funded by Breast Cancer Now examined breast cancer diagnosis pathways among 86,564 individuals diagnosed between 2009 and 2019. The research utilized data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Cancer Registration Tumour and Treatment datasets to assess diagnostic patterns across demographic groups.
The analysis revealed significant disparities in how different populations receive breast cancer diagnoses. People from Black, Asian, and mixed ethnic backgrounds, along with individuals from economically deprived areas, were found to be up to 33% less likely to be diagnosed through screening programs. Conversely, these same groups experienced substantially higher rates of diagnosis through alternative pathways: they were up to 31% more likely to receive diagnoses via urgent suspected cancer referrals and up to 37% more likely to be diagnosed through emergency presentations.
Additional findings highlighted challenges for people with learning disabilities. This population experienced an 18% longer time to diagnosis compared to those without learning disabilities and faced a 10% longer delay before beginning treatment. These patterns align with earlier research demonstrating broader inequalities in cancer care access and outcomes across marginalized communities.
Previous studies have documented related disparities. Analysis of the 2022 NHS cancer patient experience survey found that while one in five people across England required three or more general practitioner visits before receiving a cancer diagnosis, this proportion rose to one in three among people from ethnic minority backgrounds. Additional research from the UK Health Security Agency indicated that young Black women experience higher rates of aggressive breast cancer tumours, substandard care quality, and elevated mortality rates, while remaining significantly underrepresented in clinical research studies.
Researchers emphasized that these findings suggest screening access and treatment timeliness inequalities may contribute to documented disparities in survival outcomes. The study’s lead investigator noted that addressing these gaps requires ensuring equitable access to screening services and prompt treatment initiation across all demographic groups, regardless of background or circumstances.
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