A study by academics at the University of Surrey, funded by Breast Cancer Now, examined breast cancer diagnosis patterns among 86,564 adults diagnosed between 2009 and 2019. The analysis drew data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Cancer Registration Tumour and Treatment datasets.
The findings indicated significant disparities in screening detection rates across demographic groups. People from Black, Asian, and mixed ethnic backgrounds, along with those from deprived socioeconomic backgrounds, were up to 33% less likely to receive diagnoses through screening. Conversely, these same groups faced higher rates of diagnosis through urgent suspected cancer referral pathways, with rates up to 31% higher, and emergency presentation diagnoses up to 37% higher.
The research also examined outcomes for people with learning disabilities, who experienced longer diagnostic pathways. Their time to diagnosis was 18% longer than for people without learning disabilities, and treatment wait times were 10% longer. Manveet Basra, associate director of public health, inclusion and awareness at Breast Cancer Now, characterized the findings as revealing inequalities affecting marginalised groups throughout their cancer experience and influencing survival rates.
The study contributes to a broader body of evidence documenting unequal cancer outcomes across disadvantaged populations. Previous research indicated that ethnic minorities typically required more GP visits before diagnosis—approximately one in three people from ethnic minority backgrounds needed three or more interactions compared to one in five across the general English population. Additional research from the UK Health Security Agency noted that young Black women experience higher rates of aggressive breast cancer tumours, poorer care quality, and elevated mortality rates while remaining underrepresented in clinical research.
Dr Rob Kerrison, lead investigator and associate professor at the University of Surrey, emphasized that inequalities in screening access and timely treatment may partially explain documented survival disparities. He noted that addressing these disparities requires ensuring equitable access to screening and prompt treatment across all demographic groups.
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