Black women diagnosed with breast cancer are significantly less likely than white women to undergo preoperative breast MRI, potentially putting them at higher risk of needing additional surgery, according to a new study.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Health System found that when accounting for breast density, the probability of having a preoperative MRI decreased from 60.3% for white women to 44.9% for Black women.
“The association between receipt of preoperative MRI and extent of surgery was conditional on patient race,” said lead researcher Dr. Sara Ginzberg and colleagues.
The study of 1,410 women with stage 0 to III breast cancer found Black women had 46% lower odds of receiving preoperative MRI compared to white women. Insurance type was not associated with MRI use.
For white women, preoperative MRI was linked to lower likelihood of lumpectomy versus mastectomy. But for Black women, MRI was associated with 57% lower odds of needing additional surgery.
The researchers noted racial disparities often affect uptake of new medical technologies. Previous studies have found white women more likely to receive preoperative breast MRI, but did not account for breast density.
“Even after adjustment for breast density and inclusion of a diverse multipayer cohort, Black women are still less likely to undergo preoperative MRI compared with white women,” the authors wrote.
They called for standardized protocols for preoperative breast MRI to help reduce provider and system biases and promote more equitable breast cancer care and outcomes.
See “Black women less likely to undergo preoperative breast MRI” (July 10, 2024)
