Patterns of Mammography, Pap Smear, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Services Among Women Aged 45 and Over

Abstract

Background-Regular screening tests can lead to early detection of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, when treatment is likely to be more effective. This study examines and compares sociodemographic, health status, and health behavior patterns of screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer among women aged 45 and over in the United States. Methods-This study is based on data from the 2015 and 2018 National Health Interview Surveys. Women were considered to have received colorectal cancer screening if they reported having one of the following: a) report of a home fecal occult blood test (FOBT) in the past year, b) sigmoidoscopy procedure in the past 5 years with FOBT in the past 3 years, or c) colonoscopy in the past 10 years. Women were considered to have received breast cancer screening if they had a mammogram within the past 2 years. Women were considered to have received cervical cancer screening if they reported having a Pap smear in the past 3 years. Cancer screening was analyzed by sociodemographic, health status, health behavior, and health care use characteristics. Results-Among women aged 45 and over, higher percentages of screening were associated with higher socioeconomic status, being married or living with a partner, and healthy behaviors such as not smoking, participating in physical activity, and receiving a flu shot. Conclusion-Differences in screening identified in this study are generally consistent with previous studies on screening for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers for women at average risk and within the age groups recommended for screening. The results of this study support other findings showing the persistence of disparities in cancer screening among women aged 45 and over according to most of the selected characteristics regardless of recommended age of screening.