A new study published in Radiology reveals that women of color who receive an abnormal mammogram are less likely to receive a prompt follow-up compared to their White counterparts. The study found that women of color are less likely than White women to receive same-day imaging or biopsy after an abnormal mammogram despite similar access to care. Researchers report that in terms of receiving a same-day advanced screening like a breast ultrasound or a biopsy, Asian women were 26% less likely, Hispanic women 39%, and Black women 44% than White women.
Researchers at the University of Washington analyzed past medical records spanning nearly 11 years, reviewing data from over 1.1 million women aged 40 to 89 who underwent more than 3.5 million screening mammograms. The data, collected from January 2010 to December 2020 across 136 screening facilities in six U.S. states, included women who self-identified as Asian (10%), Black (13%), Hispanic (6.5%), White (68%), and other races/ethnicities (2%).
While the report indicated no significant differences in onsite availability for further testing at the diagnostic facilities, it revealed significant disparities in how quickly women received those services, with race and geographic location both playing a role. Patients in the lowest-income neighborhoods were 58% less likely to receive same-day follow-up compared to those in higher-income areas. Furthermore, those residing in rural areas were 51% more likely to receive same-day services than their urban counterparts. “The finding that rural individuals receive more same-day services suggests that services may be targeted to patients with clear barriers such as long travel times,” according to the study authors.
These findings highlight how logistical barriers, like travel and work obligations, can shape access to timely care—something Dr. Marissa Lawson, an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the study’s lead author, says is often overlooked. “Getting a screening mammogram is an anxiety-inducing experience for a lot of people, and most patients I encounter want their results as soon as possible,” Lawson said in a news release. “If you’re able to do a diagnostic workup on the same day, instead of making them wait to schedule a follow-up visit—which might create a headache with work or transportation—that’s better for the patient.”
The consequences of delayed follow-up can be severe. Without prompt diagnosis, abnormal findings can go unchecked, increasing the risk of late-stage detection and more aggressive treatment. Black women, for example, were 54% less likely than White women to receive a same-day biopsy after an abnormal scan—a delay that could further widen the mortality gap. The study’s authors stress that addressing these disparities requires more than equal access to technology; it demands targeted interventions like flexible scheduling and transportation assistance to ensure that every patient, regardless of race, income, or location, receives timely, potentially life-saving care.