2816. Assessing Breast Screening Utilization in Black Women at an Academic Breast Center
Authors* Denotes Presenting Author
Kai Wang *;
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Andrea Birch;
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Objective:
Significant disparities in breast cancer outcomes exist for women of color. The black population is the third largest racial/ethnic group in the United States and makes up 28% of the population in Nashville. The Vanderbilt Breast Center (VBC), a major academic medical center in Nashville, performs 22,000 screening mammograms annually; though it is estimated that Black women are woefully underrepresented compared to the city demographics. Our survey aims to focus on identifying factors that contribute to disproportionally lower Black female patient engagement at the VBC. The goal of this study is to identify barriers that prevent Black women in the greater Nashville area from utilizing breast cancer screening care at VBC.
Materials and Methods:
An online survey was conducted using Qualtrics, and data were collected and analyzed. Multiple safeguards were implemented for the online survey to ensure high-quality data were collected. Survey flyers with QR codes were distributed electronically and handed out in the Black communities, i.e., places of worship, hair and nail salons, and graduate sorority houses. The inclusion criteria for our survey were Black race, age 40 - 64 years, and female sex.
Results:
A total of 72 Black women completed our survey. Of those, 33/72 reported having a mammogram within the last year. 23/72 last had a mammogram 1 - 2 years ago, and 9/72 last had a mammogram 2 - 3 years ago. Participants rated their relative difficulty in accessing one of the Vanderbilt-affiliated breast centers 43/72 as extremely easy, 14/72 as moderately easy, 8/72 as slightly easy, 3/72 as neutral, 3/72 as slightly difficult, 1/72 as moderately difficult, and 1/72 as extremely difficult. When asked about whether the race and gender of the provider matter, 59/72 of the participants said no and 13/72 participants said yes. Three of 72 participants said they received screening mammograms at VBC in the past, 19/72 participants currently receive screening mammograms from VBC, and 50/72 said they do not receive screening mammograms at VBC.
Conclusion:
Although most participants express it is not difficult for them to access the VBC for screening mammography, less than 1/3 of the patients we surveyed receive breast care at VBC. The percentage of Black patients at VBC is also estimated to be lower than the reported demographics in Nashville. We believe there are additional factors preventing Black women from accessing screening mammography at VBC.
