A study conducted by academics at the University of Surrey and funded by Breast Cancer Now examined breast cancer diagnosis pathways among 86,564 adults diagnosed between 2009 and 2019. The research drew on data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and the Cancer Registration Tumour and Treatment datasets.
The analysis found disparities in how different populations received breast cancer diagnoses. People from Black, Asian, and mixed ethnic backgrounds, as well as those from economically deprived areas, were up to 33% less likely to receive a breast cancer diagnosis through screening. These same groups faced higher rates of urgent pathways to diagnosis, being up to 31% more likely to be diagnosed via urgent suspected cancer referral and up to 37% more likely to be diagnosed through emergency presentation.
The study also documented challenges for people with learning disabilities. Their average time to diagnosis was 18% longer than for people without a learning disability, and they experienced a 10% longer wait time for treatment initiation.
Dr. Rob Kerrison, lead investigator of the study, noted that while survival disparities among different groups of women have been documented, the research provides new understanding of underlying causes. The findings suggest that unequal access to screening and delays in treatment may explain some of these outcome differences.
Manveet Basra from Breast Cancer Now stated that the research demonstrates how marginalised groups encounter barriers throughout their breast cancer experience, ultimately affecting survival rates. The organisation indicated plans to support research addressing these inequities while working with policymakers to improve equal access to screening and ensure support services meet diverse population needs.
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