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  5. The impact of social drivers of health on delayed time to breast cancer surgery

The impact of social drivers of health on delayed time to breast cancer surgery

File(s)
41832297.pdf (1.21 MB)
No Access Until
2026-09-14
Permanent Link(s)
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/125174
Collections
Department of Healthcare Policy & Research
Author
Azam, Shadi
An, Anjile
Kensler, Kevin H.
Weiner, Mark G.
Mount, Lauren
Bea, Vivian
Tamimi, Rulla M.
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Timely surgical treatment is critical for optimal breast cancer (BC) outcomes, yet delays in care persist. This study examined associations between social drivers of health (SDOH), race/ethnicity, and delayed BC surgery in New York City, stratified by surgery type. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of BC cases diagnosed between 2007 and 2021 using INSIGHT Clinical Research Network data. Neighborhood-level SDOH, including household income, unemployment, percent of non-English speakers, and high school completion, were evaluated in relation to delayed surgery (>60 days from diagnosis). Multivariable logistic regression assessed associations between (1) SDOH and (2) race/ethnicity and delay of BC surgery, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Surgical delay occurred in 10.7% of lumpectomy and 25.3% of mastectomy patients. For lumpectomy, delays were more likely in neighborhoods with the highest non-English-speaking (OR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.12-1.68) and higher unemployment quartiles (OR = 1.49, 95%CI = 1.22-1.82) and less likely in the highest income (OR = 0.69,95%CI = 0.56-0.84) and education quartiles (OR = 0.60, 95%CI = 0.49-0.74). Mastectomy showed similar patterns. Delays were more frequent among Non-Hispanic Black (lumpectomy OR = 2.23; mastectomy OR = 1.82) and Hispanic patients (OR = 1.64; OR = 1.39). CONCLUSION: This large, multi-institutional study reveals persistent disparities in timely surgical care. Nearly 15% experienced delays, with higher odds among Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients, underscoring the need for equity-focused interventions.

Journal / Series
British journal of cancer
Volume & Issue
134(9)
Date Issued
2026-03-14
Publisher
Springer
Keywords
WCM Library Coordinated Deposit
•
Humans
•
Female
•
Breast Neoplasms/surgery/epidemiology
•
Retrospective Studies
•
Middle Aged
•
Socioeconomic Disparities in Health
•
Mastectomy/statistics & numerical data
•
Treatment Delay
•
Aged
•
New York City/epidemiology
•
Time-to-Treatment/statistics & numerical data
•
Mastectomy, Segmental/statistics & numerical data
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Healthcare Disparities
•
Adult
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Socioeconomic Factors
Related DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-026-03380-7
Previously Published as
Azam S, An A, Kensler KH, Weiner MG, Mount L, Bea V, Tamimi RM. The impact of social drivers of health on delayed time to breast cancer surgery. British journal of cancer. 2026;134(9):1325-1335. doi: 10.1038/s41416-026-03380-7. PMID: 41832297.
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Rights URI
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Type
article

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