Health Equity Within Inequity: Timing of Diagnostic Breast Cancer Care in an Underserved Medical Population

Abstract

Background/aim: We evaluated timeliness of care at a safety-net hospital after implementation of a multidisciplinary breast program.

Patients and methods: A prospective database of patients with breast cancer was created after multidisciplinary breast program initiation in 2018. Patients were tracked to obtain time to completion of diagnostic imaging, biopsy, and treatment initiation. Patients with breast cancer diagnosed from 2015-2017 were reviewed for comparison.

Results: A total of 102 patients were identified. There was no statistical difference in time to completion of imaging, biopsy, and initial treatment between the 2018 and the 2015-2017 cohorts (p>0.05). No statistical difference was observed in time to completion of imaging, biopsy, and initial treatment between different races (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Within the same socioeconomic status, there was no differential delivery of screening, work-up, and treatment by race. Despite protocol implementations, efficiency of care remained limited in a safety-net hospital with lack of financial resources.

Keywords: Breast cancer; delay; disparities; mammography; timing; underserved.