Key Findings
- Purpose
To evaluate breast cancer screening utilization and mammographic characteristics among women living with sickle cell disease (SCD). - Population (Model)
Non-Hispanic African American women aged ≥40 years with SCD (n = 156) receiving care at a single center between 2018–2022. - Headline Result
- 56% had screening mammography in the past 2 years (vs 70.8% reported in CDC data for non-Hispanic Black women; difference not statistically significant via binomial test, p = 1).
- 54% had dense breasts (BI-RADS C/D).
- An inverse relationship between BMI and breast density was observed (p = 0.037).
- Why It Matters
As survival improves in SCD, preventive health becomes increasingly important. The numeric screening gap (56% vs 70.8%) raises a hypothesis of underutilization, though not statistically significant, and high breast density may affect cancer detection sensitivity. - Evidence Gaps & Limitations
Single-center (n = 156); retrospective; no cancer detection rates, long-term adherence, or direct non-SCD comparator assessed; possible COVID-19 impact.
Source: Journal of Sickle Cell Disease — “Breast cancer screening in women with SCD: a single-center exploratory study.”
Regulatory & Guideline Watch
General population screening guidelines recommend age-based mammography, but disease-specific preventive care pathways for SCD are not well defined.