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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Ellen Lopez, PhD, MPH¹, Amal Khoury, PhD², Allyson Hall, PhD², and Nedra Lisovicz, PhD, MPH, CHES³. (1) University of Florida, 6131 NW 23rd Lane, Gainesville, FL 32606, 352-273-5361, elopez@phhp.ufl.edu, (2) College of Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida, PO Box 100195, Gainesville, FL 32610, (3) University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1717 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294

Background: Breast cancer screening has been associated with enhanced survival rates. Interventions have often focused on augmenting the number of women ‘ever' screened, but not necessarily the number who receive screenings continually and consistently. To inform programs targeted toward increasing regular screening, we must understand the barriers associated with adherence to national guidelines.

Purpose: This descriptive study strived to understand the barriers women living in Mississippi face to ‘ever' being screened, and to complying with 2003 national recommendations for ‘repeat' screening within one year.

Methods: During 2003, a statewide telephone survey was conducted with a representative sample of 1050 women (40+ years) living in Mississippi. Analyses were conducted for women with no breast cancer history.

Results: Of women 50+ years (n=704), 62(8%) never had a mammogram, and 174(25%) failed to have a repeat within one year. Of women 40+ years (n=986), 75(8%) never had a CBE, and 207(21%) failed to have a repeat within one year. Screening guideline adherence was statistically significantly associated with education, income, insurance, having an annual checkup, a usual clinic, and health status. While non-compliers reported diverse barriers to either mammography or CBE (such as expense, and no doctor recommendation), women who were never screened were significantly more likely to report that they “Do not need a mammogram/CBE” than women who were screened, but failed to have a repeat within one year.

Discussion: Screening programs must focus on populations at risk for non-compliance, and address the common and unique barriers to ‘ever' and ‘repeat' screening.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant should be able to

• Understand the need to assess not only one time breast cancer screening, but regular and consistent screening practices per national recommendations.
• Describe the common and unique barriers women face to “ever” having a breast cancer screening, and to complying with national recommendations for regular and consistent screenings.
• Apply findings from this study to help determine future directions for programs that are targeted and tailored toward populations at risk for non-adherence to screening guidelines.

Keywords: Breast Cancer Screening, Rural Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation