Use of mammography services by women aged > or = 65 years enrolled in Medicare--United States, 1991-1993

Abstract

The incidence of invasive breast cancer among women aged > or = 65 years is twice that among those aged 35-44 years (1), and the death rate from breast cancer is approximately three times higher among women aged > or = 65 years than among women aged 35-64 years (2). Although routine screening mammography among women aged > or = 50 years can reduce breast cancer mortality by > or = 30% by detecting tumors at early, more treatable stages (3), older women are less likely to receive screening mammograms (4). The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) routinely examines trends in the use of health services by age, race, and sex to monitor access to medical care for Medicare beneficiaries. Using Medicare claims data, HCFA estimated rates of mammography use among women aged > or = 65 years during 1991-1993. This report presents the findings of this analysis.