Beyond the physician shortage: infrastructure as a rate-limiting step in breast cancer care
By
Elio R. Bitar
Max O. Meneveau
Kaelyn C. Cummins
Olivia Sears
Mohamad El Moheb
Chengli Shen
Susan Kim
Mackenzie M. Mayhew
Samantha M. Ruff
Allan Tsung
July 7, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Addressing the Physician Shortage: The Role of Infrastructure in Breast Cancer Treatment Access
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Breast Cancer Key Mechanisms Provider density and facility availability impact screening rates, late-stage diagnoses, and mortality. Target Population Women aged 50–74 years Care Setting County-level healthcare infrastructure
Key Highlights
High-density counties are often urban and socioeconomically advantaged. Greater provider density correlates with increased screening and decreased late-stage diagnosis and mortality when facilities are available. Counties lacking local facilities benefit from neighboring counties with screening or treatment resources. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Evaluate county-level screening rates and late-stage diagnoses. Management
Align workforce expansion with infrastructure investment to improve outcomes. Monitoring & Follow-up
Track provider density and facility availability to assess impact on breast cancer outcomes. Risks
Increased disparities in breast cancer outcomes may arise from physician shortages and limited facility access. Patient & Prescribing Data
Women aged 50–74 years in various counties across the U.S.
Access to treatment facilities is crucial for improving breast cancer outcomes.
Clinical Best Practices
Increase local healthcare infrastructure to support provider density. Ensure availability of mammography and treatment facilities in underserved areas. Related Resources & Content
