A recent study from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC), published in Radiology on February 18, looked at what happens after women receive abnormal results from a routine screening mammogram. The researchers wanted to see if women from different racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic backgrounds had equal access to follow-up testing—like more detailed imaging or biopsies.
The study, led by Dr. Marissa Lawson from the University of Washington, found that while most healthcare facilities had the necessary follow-up services available, not all women were equally likely to receive them—especially not right away.
What the study found:
- Out of over 1 million women who had more than 3.5 million mammograms, most women had access to follow-up services regardless of their race, income, or where they lived.
- However, Asian and Black women were less likely than White women to receive follow-up testing using a more advanced imaging technology (called digital breast tomosynthesis) within 90 days of an abnormal result.
- Asian, Black, and Hispanic women were also less likely to get their follow-up testing on the same day as the abnormal mammogram, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
- Interestingly, women in rural areas were actually more likely to get same-day follow-up tests than women in urban areas.
- Black women were less likely to get a biopsy—the test that checks if a lump is cancer—on the same day they had a concerning follow-up image.
Why this matters:
Catching breast cancer early saves lives, and that means getting fast, high-quality follow-up care after a screening mammogram shows something unusual. This study shows that not everyone is getting the same level of care, even when the resources are available. These differences could lead to delays in diagnosing breast cancer, especially for women of color.
The researchers say it’s time to take action. We need focused efforts to make sure all women, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or income, get the timely and appropriate care they need after an abnormal mammogram.
You can find the original abstract here.
Lawson MB, Zhu W, Miglioretti DL, Onega T, Henderson LM, Rauscher GH, Kerlikowske K, Sprague BL, Bowles EJA, O’Meara ES, Tosteson ANA, diFlorio-Alexander RM, Hubbard RA, Lee JM, Lee CI. Disparities in Standard-of-Care, Advanced, and Same-Day Diagnostic Services among Patients with Abnormal Screening Mammography. Radiology. 2025 Feb;314(2):e241673. doi: 10.1148/radiol.241673. PMID: 39964269. [link]
