Physician Uncertainty, Beliefs, and Practices on Peri- and Postmenopausal Bleeding Evaluation and the Impact on Risks for Black Patients at Risk for Endometrial Cancer.

OBJECTIVES

Endometrial cancer incidence and mortality disproportionately affect Black patients, and delayed diagnosis is a contributor. Providers in multiple settings share the task of endometrial cancer diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to elicit physician perspectives on national guidelines for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer (EC), understanding of racial disparities in EC, and to explore physician receptivity to a risk-based, endometrial biopsy (EMB)-first approach of peri/postmenopausal bleeding.

METHODS

We performed semi-structured interviews with 12 U.S. physicians across multiple specialties. Interview structure was developed and refined using an iterative process. We used inductive reasoning to employ exploratory content analysis.

RESULTS

We interviewed OB/Gyn (n = 4), family medicine (n = 3), internal medicine n = 3), and emergency medicine (n = 2) physicians in all regions of the U.S. Slightly over half (58%) performed EMB. Most (58%) were uncertain about guidelines for diagnosis. Nearly half (42%) reported lack of knowledge regarding racial disparities in EC diagnosis and cancer outcomes. OB/Gyn physicians were skeptical of guideline efficacy in high-risk patients, including patients identifying as Black. Most (75%) physicians supported a risk-based, biopsy-first approach to diagnosis of EC.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians caring for patients at risk for EC lack knowledge of current guidelines and of racial disparities in endometrial cancer diagnosis and outcomes. A multi-pronged approach, incorporating changes to national guidelines and targeted provider education, is necessary to eliminate inequities in diagnosis of EC.