Kersten Bartelt, RN, Shares Research on Disparities in Breast Cancer Diagnosis

A recent research study reveals the average age at breast cancer diagnosis in 2023 is approximately 63.2 years, and notably, this age has exhibited stability since 2018. When assessing differences between race and ethnicity, the Hispanic or Latino patient population stood out as having the youngest average age at breast cancer diagnosis, with an average of 57.2 years.

On the other end of the spectrum, White patients typically receive their diagnosis at an older average age, 64.5 years. Despite getting their diagnosis at a younger average age, Hispanic or Latino patients paradoxically have the lowest incidence of recent breast cancer screenings prior to diagnosis. Only 38.3% of these patients underwent a recent screening, raising important questions about screening behaviors within this population.

The study conducted between 2018 and 2023 by a team of investigators led by Kersten Bartelt, RN, clinician at Epic Research, encompassed a comprehensive analysis of 484,177 breast cancer diagnoses, and aimed to provide a deep understanding of these dynamics.

Bartelt shared more insight on the study’s findings in a recent interview with The American Journal of Managed Care^® (AJMC^®).

AJMC: Your research shows that the average age at breast cancer diagnosis has remained fairly steady since 2018. Were there any specific factors or trends you observed that might explain this stability?

Bartelt: While we did not identify specific factors or trends that directly explain this stability, it is possible that the consistency in age at diagnosis could be attributed to the screening guidelines from the USPSTF [United States Preventive Services Task Force] remaining consistent during the study period.

AJMC: The research indicated Hispanic or Latino patients have the youngest average age at breast cancer diagnosis but are also the least likely to have had a recent breast cancer screening. What implications do these findings have for health care policies and outreach efforts?

Bartelt: These results suggest there may be barriers to accessing screening services for this population, such as lack of awareness, cultural/language factors, or financial constraints. Health care policies could focus on addressing these barriers and promoting early detection through targeted outreach and education efforts, as well as ensuring that screening services are accessible and affordable for all individuals.

AJMC: The study controlled for social vulnerability when examining the differences in average age at diagnosis among different racial and ethnic groups. Could you explain the significance of this control and how it might affect the interpretation of your results?

Bartelt: By controlling for social vulnerability, we aimed to isolate the impact of race and ethnicity on the average age at diagnosis, independent of these social factors. This allows for a more accurate interpretation of our results, as it helps to ensure that the observed differences in age at diagnosis are not simply due to differences in social vulnerability among the various racial and ethnic groups.

AJMC: Moving forward, what research or studies would you suggest for a deeper look into the factors driving the observed differences in breast cancer diagnosis age and screening behavior among various racial and ethnic groups?

Bartelt: Further research should focus on identifying the specific factors driving the observed differences in diagnosis age and screening behavior among various populations. This could include exploring how cultural factors influence attitudes toward breast cancer screening, as well as examining the impact of health care access and affordability on screening rates.

Reference

Bartelt K, Maher J, Deckert J, et al. Hispanic women Are diagnosed with breast cancer more than seven years younger than White women, on average. Epic Research. August 14, 2023. Accessed August 18, 2023. https://epicresearch.org/articles/hispanic-women-are-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-more-than-seven-years-younger-than-white-women-on-average