People from minority ethnic backgrounds in England face significant disparities in breast cancer diagnosis, according to research from the University of Surrey funded by Breast Cancer Now.
The study analysed 86,564 adults diagnosed with breast cancer between 2009 and 2019 using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Cancer Registration Tumour and Treatment datasets. Researchers found that people from marginalised ethnic groups were up to a third less likely to receive a breast cancer diagnosis through routine screening programmes.
Instead of early detection via screening, these patients were more likely to be diagnosed through urgent referral or in emergency settings. The finding suggests that ethnic minorities may be experiencing later-stage diagnoses, which typically carry worse health outcomes and place greater strain on emergency healthcare services.
The disparity points to potential barriers within England's breast cancer screening system. Possible factors could include lower screening uptake among minority ethnic communities, differences in healthcare access, language barriers, cultural factors affecting screening participation, or variations in clinical recognition and referral practices across different demographic groups.
Earlier diagnosis through routine screening allows for more treatment options and generally improves survival rates. Diagnosis in emergency settings often indicates the cancer has progressed further before detection, complicating treatment and recovery.
The research adds to growing evidence that screening programmes and healthcare systems in England do not reach all populations equally. Addressing these disparities would require examination of screening accessibility, community engagement, healthcare provider practices, and potential systemic barriers faced by minority ethnic groups seeking or receiving cancer care.