Researchers from the University of Surrey, with funding from the charity Breast Cancer Now, analyzed data on 86,564 adults diagnosed with breast cancer between 2009 and 2019. The study drew information from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and the Cancer Registration Tumour and Treatment datasets to examine disparities in cancer diagnosis pathways across different population groups.
The analysis identified significant inequalities in how breast cancer is detected among different demographics. People from Black, Asian, and mixed ethnic backgrounds, along with those from deprived areas, were up to 33% less likely to receive a breast cancer diagnosis through routine screening. Conversely, these same groups were up to 31% more likely to be diagnosed through urgent suspected cancer referral pathways and up to 37% more likely to be diagnosed following emergency presentations.
The research also examined outcomes for people with learning disabilities, finding that their time to diagnosis was 18% longer than for people without learning disabilities. Additionally, they faced a 10% longer wait time for treatment. Dr. Rob Kerrison, the lead investigator from the University of Surrey, indicated that these findings suggest inequalities in screening access and timely treatment may partially explain why certain groups experience poorer breast cancer survival rates.
The findings align with previous research documenting health disparities among marginalized populations. An earlier study found that ethnic minority individuals required more general practitioner visits before receiving a cancer diagnosis. While one in five people across England require three or more GP interactions before diagnosis, this figure rises to one in three for people from ethnic minority backgrounds, according to analysis of the NHS cancer patient experience survey.
Manveet Basra, associate director of public health, inclusion and awareness at Breast Cancer Now, emphasized that the findings demonstrate how marginalized groups face barriers at multiple stages of their cancer care journey. She stated that addressing these inequalities requires improved equal access to screening, working with policymakers, and ensuring support services reflect the diverse needs of affected populations.
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