There are Disparities in Access to and Use of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis for Breast Cancer Screening
BCSC study suggests disparities in access to and use of newer screening technology based on race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status
In a new BCSC study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers found that women of color and women with lower educational attainment and lower income were less likely to attend screening facilities offering digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT, 3D mammography screening). 3D mammography screening is associated with lower recall rates and higher cancer detection rates compared to traditional 2D mammography, depending on women’s age and breast density. BCSC researchers found that Black and Asian-American women, Hispanic women, and women residing in neighborhoods with lower education and income levels had lower 3D mammography access during the early technology adoption period. Even after widespread 3D mammography adoption in the US, Black women, women with lower education, and women with lower income continued to be less likely to obtain 3D screening over 2D screening when both were available at the time of their screening. The adoption of 3D mammography screening has been unequitable, potentially increasing disparities among traditionally vulnerable populations. Future efforts should address racial/ethnic, educational, and financial barriers to routine 3D mammography screening.
Full Text Citation and Link: Lee CI, Zhu W, Onega T, Henderson LM, Kerlikowske K, Sprague BL, Rauscher GH, O’Meara ES, Tosteson ANA, Haas JS, diFlorio-Alexander R, Kaplan C, Miglioretti DL. Comparative access to and use of digital breast tomosynthesis screening by women’s race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. JAMA Network Open. 2021;4(2):e2037546. Epub ahead of print doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.37546 [Link to Article]
Find media coverage of the article:
UW Medicine Newroom: https://newsroom.uw.edu/news/race-income-education-affect-access-3d-mammography
The California Aggie: https://theaggie.org/2021/05/11/uc-davis-professor-involved-in-research-team-conducting-largest-study-of-u-s-access-to-3d-mammography/
Posted by: Carolyn Eng