Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Time to a Breast Cancer Diagnosis: The Mediating Effects of Health Care Facility Factors

Abstract

Background: Racial/ethnic disparities exist along the breast cancer continuum, including time to a diagnosis. Previous research has largely focused on patient-level factors, and less is known about the role that health care facilities may play in delayed breast cancer care.

Objectives: We examined racial/ethnic disparities in delayed diagnosis for breast cancer in the Breast Cancer Care in Chicago Study and estimated the potential mediating effects of facility factors.

Research design and subjects: Breast cancer patients (N=606) contributed interview and medical record data as part of a population-based study.

Measures: Race/ethnicity was self-reported at interview. Diagnostic delay was defined as an excess of 60 days between medical presentation and a definitive diagnosis. Facility factors included the facility of medical presentation with respect to: (1) accreditation through the National Consortium of Breast Centers; (2) certification as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence through the American College of Radiology; and (3) status as a disproportionate share hospital through the state of Illinois as well as the number of facilities used between presentation and diagnosis.

Results: Relative to non-Hispanic whites, minorities were more likely to experience a diagnostic delay, present at a nonaccredited facility and at a disproportionate share hospital, and involve multiple facilities in their diagnosis. Together, facility factors accounted for 43% of the disparity in diagnostic delay (P<0.0001).

Conclusions: Initial presentation of breast cancer at higher resourced facilities can reduce diagnostic delays. Disparities in delay are partly due to a disproportionate presentation at lower resourced facilities by minorities.