Patient Race Independently Predicts Timeliness of Breast Cancer Reconstructive Care

Background/Objectives: While higher complication rates among minority patients following breast reconstruction are documented, the role of lengthier care intervals in perpetuating these disparities remains unclear. This study assesses whether race influences the timeliness of breast reconstructive care for patients following breast cancer diagnoses. Methods: A retrospective analysis of breast reconstruction patients between 2017 and 2023 was conducted. Primary outcomes comprised intervals from breast cancer diagnosis to plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) consultation, index reconstructive procedure, and final reconstructive procedure. Regression models assessed the impact of race on outcomes. Results: Of the 1662 patients included, 745 identified as White (44.8%), 337 as Black (20.3%), 199 as Asian (12.0%), 278 as “Other” races (16.7%), and 103 did not specify race (6.2%). Baseline characteristics differed significantly across groups (p < 0.001). Latino patients comprised the majority of the ‘Other’ (50%) and ‘Unknown’ (75%) race categories. On multivariable regression, intervals to PRS consultation and index procedure were significantly prolonged for Black (β = 0.307, p = 0.001 and β = 0.254, p < 0.001, respectively) and “Other” race (β = 0.332, p = 0.006 and β = 0.283, p = 0.001) patients, while Black patients also faced significantly longer intervals to the final procedure (β = 0.213, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Prolonged care intervals for non-White patients persist at multiple stages of breast reconstruction, potentially exacerbating outcome disparities. The present study implicates logistical barriers such as fragmented care, scheduling, and transportation challenges, as well as provider- or patient-level bias, as contributors to race-based disparities in timely care.