Based on an evaluation, individuals living in deprived regions as well as those from minority ethnic communities in England experience a likelihood of routine screening breast cancer diagnoses that is lower by up to a third, alongside markedly elevated frequencies of emergency presentations.
Minority Populations Face Higher Rates of Emergency Diagnoses
- Screening Disparities: Black, Asian, mixed, and deprived populations are up to 33% less likely to receive their breast cancer diagnosis through screening.
- Emergency Presentations: Affected groups experience up to a 37% higher rate of emergency diagnoses, pointing to systemic delays in early detection and pathway access.
University of Surrey Study Tracks 86,564 Breast Cancer Diagnoses
The epidemiological analysis was carried out by academics at the University of Surrey and funded by the charity Breast Cancer Now. Researchers examined 86,564 adult patient records diagnosed with breast cancer between 2009 and 2019. Data was drawn directly from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and the Cancer Registration Tumour and Treatment datasets.
The investigation established that individuals from Black, Asian, and mixed ethnic backgrounds, alongside those living in deprived areas, face distinct hurdles within the diagnostic pathway. Specifically, these populations were up to 33% less likely to receive a diagnosis through routine screening. Conversely, they were up to 31% more likely to be diagnosed via urgent suspected cancer referrals and up to 37% more likely to present in an emergency setting.
Manveet Basra, the associate director of public health, inclusion and awareness at Breast Cancer Now, stated that the analysis revealed that people from marginalised groups “face inequalities at every stage of their breast cancer experience, and tragically this impacts their survival rates.” Basra added that the findings help identify who experiences delays so that policymakers and researchers can work toward eliminating structural barriers to equal access.
Wider Primary Care Hurdles and Impact on Vulnerable Groups
This academic research builds upon existing evidence regarding cancer diagnostic inequalities across England. A prior analysis of the NHS cancer patient experience 2022 survey conducted by QualityWatch—a joint program from the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation—found that roughly one in five people across England require three or more general practitioner (GP) interactions before receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Research from the UK Health Security Agency indicates that young Black women are more likely to have aggressive breast cancer tumours, experience poorer care, and face higher mortality rates, while remaining significantly under-represented in clinical research.
The study also evaluated clinical outcomes for individuals living with learning disabilities.
| Patient Demographic / Group | Disparity Metric Identified | Statistical Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Black, Asian, and Mixed Backgrounds | Routine Screening Diagnosis | Up to 33% less likely |
| Deprived Populations | Emergency Presentation Rate | Up to 37% higher |
| Individuals with Learning Disabilities | Time to Diagnosis Delay | 18% longer duration |
Pathways to Addressing Systemic Inequities in Oncology
Dr. Rob Kerrison, who serves as the lead investigator of the study alongside being an associate professor of cancer care and co-lead of the cancer care expert group at the University of Surrey, pointed out the past constraints in comprehending the disparities in breast cancer survival rates. “We know that some groups of women in the UK have poorer breast cancer survival than others, but until now we have had only a limited understanding of why,” Kerrison stated. He emphasized that the findings point directly to inequalities in screening access and timely treatment as contributing factors.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer worldwide among women, accounting for approximately one in four cancer cases and standing as a leading cause of death in women under the age of 50. Identifying higher-risk cohorts early facilitates targeted secondary prevention, additional screening protocols, or preventive interventions.
References
- University of Surrey & Breast Cancer Now. Epidemiological analysis of 86,564 breast cancer diagnoses (2009–2019) via Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Cancer Registration Tumour and Treatment datasets.
- QualityWatch (Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation). NHS cancer patient experience survey analysis on primary care interactions.
- UK Health Security Agency. Surveillance data on tumor aggressiveness, care quality, and mortality rates in young Black women.
