Disparities in Disease Presentation and Treatment Initiation for De Novo Metastatic Breast Cancer

Do patterns of presentation and treatment initiation timing vary by race and ethnicity among patients with de novo metastatic breast cancer (dnMBC)?This cross-sectional study of 117 743 patients with dnMBC found that across subtypes, patients from minoritized racial and ethnic groups exhibited differences in brain, bone-only, and visceral metastases at diagnosis, and experienced longer days to chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, and radiotherapy initiation compared with White patients. Living in areas with lower income and education, Medicaid and/or Medicare enrollment, and lack of insurance were associated with delayed treatment initiation.These findings highlight racial and ethnic disparities in metastatic patterns and inequities in timely treatment, necessitating interventions to improve care delivery for patients with dnMBC.

Corresponding Author: Rita Nanda, MD, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, 900 E 57th St, Ste 8118, Chicago, IL 60637 (rnanda@bsd.uchicago.edu).

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