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Updated: Oct 18, 2026

Optimization of Breast Biopsy and Mastectomy Sample Collection Procedures for Biobanking, Personalized Medicine, and Research Applications
Published on: September 2, 2025
Time to diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer: results from the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early
L S Caplan1, D S May, L C Richardson
1Epidemiology and Health Services Research Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga. 30341, USA. lhc9@cdc.gov
Objectives:
This study examined times to diagnosis and treatment for medically underserved women screened for breast cancer.
Methods:
Intervals from first positive screening test to diagnosis to initiation of treatment were determined for 1659 women 40 years and older diagnosed with breast cancer.
Results:
Women with abnormal mammograms had shorter diagnostic intervals than women with abnormal clinical breast examinations and normal mammograms. Women with self-reported breast symptoms had shorter diagnostic intervals than asymptomatic women. Diagnostic intervals were less than 60 days in 78% of cases. Treatment intervals were generally 2 weeks or less.
Conclusions:
Most women diagnosed with breast cancer were followed up in a timely manner after screening. Further investigation is needed to identify and then address factors associated with longer diagnostic and treatment intervals to maximize the benefits of early detection.
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