Predictors of Mammography Screening Use among Women with MS

Women with chronic disabling conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) are less likely to participate in routine mammography screening than women without disabilities due to multiple barriers. Underuse of mammography screening may result in late stage breast cancer and a higher mortality rate. This study examined the influence of MS-related functional limitations, demographic characteristics, family history of breast cancer, beliefs related to mammography screening and breast cancer, and personal resources on usual screening mammography in a sample of women with MS.

Data from an ongoing longitudinal study focused on health promotion of persons with MS were combined with primary data for this prospective descriptive correlational study. The nonprobability sample consisted of 274 women ages 39-85 years who were primarily White (92%), married (66.1%), and unemployed (64.1%) with a 22 year average length of MS diagnosis. Data that were collected over two years were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical logistic regression.

            The annual mammography rate was 62%. Perceived susceptibility to breast cancer (AOR = 3.0, p < .05), family history (AOR = 2.5, p < .05), economic adequacy (AOR = 1.6, p < .05), and perceived barriers to mammography (AOR = .98, p < .05) were significant predictors. Though severity of limitations was negatively associated with mammography, it was not a significant predictor.

These findings suggest that for women with chronic disabling conditions, health beliefs, family history, and personal resources influence mammography screening. Clinicians need to continue to reduce barriers to mammography screening to improve screening rates in this population.