Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2003 Fall;13(4):477-84.

Factors influencing adherence to guidelines for screening mammography among women aged 40 years and older

Saleh M M Rahman  1 , Mark B Dignan, Brent J Shelton
Affiliations

Factors influencing adherence to guidelines for screening mammography among women aged 40 years and older

Saleh M M Rahman et al. Ethn Dis. 2003 Fall.

Abstract

Objective: To explore patterns of adherence to guidelines for screening mammography among participants in the Colorado Mammography Project (CMAP) surveillance database.

Methods: An algorithm was developed to assess factors associated with adherence to mammography screening guidelines.

Results: Of the 27,778 women ranging from 40-90 years of age included in the analysis, 41.4% were adherent with mammography screening guidelines. According to the model tested in this study, race/ethnicity (Black vs White, OR=0.76, 95% CI=0.64-0.91); educational attainment (high school vs <high school, OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.04-1.18, college graduate vs <high school OR=1.33, 95% CI=1.25-1.42); insurance status, (any coverage vs no coverage, OR=1.62, 95% CI=1.25-2.12); and community economic status as defined by median income by zip code of residence (15,000 dollars-24,999 dollars vs <15,000 dollars, OR=0.84, 95% CI=0.76-0.94, >55,000 dollars vs <15,000 dollars, OR 1.14, 95% CI=1.03-1.26) were statistically significant predictors of adherence to guidelines. A significant interaction between age and family history of breast cancer (BC) was also found. Younger females with a family history of BC were less likely to be adherent than their counterparts without a family history (OR=0.93, 95% CI=0.90-0.96). In general, elderly women were more likely to be adherent compared with the youngest group in this cohort (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.11-1.33). Inclusion or exclusion of women aged 70 years and older did not change the outcome of the analysis.

Conclusion: Adherence with screening mammography guidelines was found to be associated with women's personal characteristics including race/ethnicity, age, and family history of BC. In addition, socioeconomic status, as measured by educational level and community economic status, are important predictors of adherence. Efforts to increase adherence may need to be specific to race/ethnic group and age, but the effect of age is mediated by family history of BC and vice versa.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society Facts and Figures. 2003
    1. Phillips K, Kerlikowske K, Chang S, Baker L, Brown M. Factors associated with women’s adherence to mammography screening guidelines. Health Serv Res. 1998;33:29–53. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Vernon S. Participation in breast screening programs: a review. Soc Sci Med. 1990;30(10):1107–1118. - PubMed
    1. Brown M, Fintor L. Accreditation of mammography facilities by the American College of Radiology: results of a national survey. Am J Prev Med. 1994;10(3):162–167. - PubMed
    1. Jacobellis J, Cutter GR. Mammography screening and differences in stage of disease by race/ethnicity. Am J Public Health. In press. - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources