Work

Provider effects and racial inequities in breast cancer risk-management adoption: Findings from a community-based study of high-risk women

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We investigated the role of high-risk patients’ relationships with their provider (hereafter, “patient-provider relationships” (PPRs)) in risk-management decision making among women with a high risk of breast cancer (BC) and examined racial disparities in three healthcare provider (HCP)-related facilitators of BC risk-management awareness and adoption. Using a community-based online survey of 717 non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic white women with ≥ 20% lifetime risk of BC, we assessed the effects of HCP-related facilitators, identified by our previous research, on BC screening uptake and awareness of preventive options using logistic regression. All three HCP-related facilitators were associated with an increased likelihood of being concordant with screening recommendations and aware of preventive options. Black women were less likely to report having access to the facilitators, and they were less likely to be concordant with and aware of risk-management recommendations. Targeted health interventions focused on improving specialist access and risk-related expertise among generalists, particularly among Black women, could substantially improve equity in BC prevention and screening access, and ultimately in BC outcomes. Practice Implications: Providers should address BC risk proactively with their patients, particularly among those with hereditary risk, and work to establish trusting relationships with their patients. • Primary care providers (PCPs) are important to managing high breast cancer risk • Guideline-concordant risk management is associated with specialist access • Concordance is associated with longer PCP relationships, discussing risk with a PCP • Black women are less likely to be concordant with risk-management guidelines • Black women have less access to provider-related facilitators of risk management

Source: Patient Education and Counseling

DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2025.109382

Authors: Kaleb Masterson, Jeremy B. Straughn, Sam Feudo, Tasleem J. Padamsee

Institutions: The Ohio State University, University of Michigan, Belmont University

Language: English

Topic: Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,830