Dr Omene on the Importance of Access to Breast Cancer Screenings in Underserved Populations

Coral O. Omene, MD, PhD, medical oncologist, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, discusses the need to improve early access to breast cancer screenings for patients in underserved populations and recent updates to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines on breast cancer screening.

Effective breast cancer screening modalities, including mammograms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), remain a critical part of breast cancer prevention and diagnosis, Omene begins. It is well established the chance of achieving a cure for patients with breast cancer rise if disease is detected early; however, barriers to early screening still exist for some women, specifically for those in underserved minority populations, Omene emphasizes.

For example, women in rural areas face additional challenges finding access to these screenings measures, since traveling to receive a mammogram or an MRI may be an issue.

Notably, there were inconsistencies in the NCCN screening guidelines, Omene says. The majority of most women receive their initial referrals for their screenings at the primary care level, Omene continues., Inconsistencies in these guidelines led to varying referral practices for patients, and it remains paramount that women are referred for screening at appropriate times, she adds.

Omene notes that is has been gratifying to see updates and improvements to the way patients are referred based on these guidelines. Providing screening at younger ages will serve as a benefit for more women, Omene concludes.