Evaluation of Patterns in Access to Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Presentation in a Safety Net Patient Population

Background While prior studies have shown the apparent health disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, there is a gap in knowledge with respect to access to breast cancer care among minority women. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer from 2014 to 2016 to evaluate how patients presented and accessed cancer care services in our urban safety net hospital. Patient demographics, cancer stage, history of breast cancer screening, and process of referral to cancer care were collected and analyzed. Results Of the 202 patients identified, 61 (30%) patients were younger than the age of 50 and 75 (63%) were of racial minority background. Only 39% of patients with a new breast cancer were diagnosed on screening mammogram. Women younger than the age of 50 ( P < .001) and minority women ( P < .001) were significantly less likely to have had any prior screening mammograms. Furthermore, in patients who met the screening guideline age, more than half did not have prior screening mammograms. Discussion Future research should explore how to improve breast cancer screening rates within our county patient population and the potential need for revision of screening guidelines for minority patients.