The views of older women towards mammographic screening: a qualitative and quantitative study

Abstract

Background: Mammographic screening has improved breast cancer survival in the screened age group. This improved survival has not been seen in older women (>70 years) where screening uptake is low. This study explores the views, knowledge and attitudes of older women towards screening.

Methods: Women (>70 years) were interviewed about breast screening. Interview findings informed the development of a questionnaire that was sent to 1000 women (>70 years) to quantify their views regarding screening.

Results: Twenty-six women were interviewed and a questionnaire was designed. The questionnaire response rate was 48.3% (479 out of 992). Over half (52.9%, 241 out of 456) of the respondents were unaware that they could request a mammography by voluntary self-referral and were unaware how to arrange this. Most (81.5%, 383 out of 470) had not attended breast screening since turning 70 years. Most (75.6%, 343 out of 454) felt screening was beneficial and would attend if invited. Most (90.1%, 412 out of 457) felt screening should be offered to all women regardless of age or health.

Conclusions: There is a lack of knowledge about screening in older women. The majority felt that invitation to screening should be extended to the older age group regardless of age or health. The current under-utilised system of voluntary self-referral is not supported by older women.

Figure 1

Bar chart showing questionnaire responses relating to attitudes to screening.

Figure 2

Older women's views about breast screening in women over 70 years.