Elsevier

Preventive Medicine

Volume 20, Issue 3, May 1991, Pages 350-363
Preventive Medicine

Article
Screening mammography rates and barriers to use: A Los Angeles county survey

https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-7435(91)90034-2Get rights and content

Abstract

The use of screening mammography among women 40 years of age and older in Los Angeles County was assessed through a random digit dial telephone interview. The sample of 802 women represents a large urban population with substantial proportions of blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. The survey obtained information regarding adherence to the ACS/NCI screening mammography guidelines, perceived benefits of early detection and mammography, perceived threat of developing breast cancer, and barriers to utilization. The results showed that 71% of the women had had at least one mammogram, with 49% having received a screening mammogram according to the guidelines for their age. Less than half the respondents knew the screening guidelines for their age, with women ages 40–49 years being less knowledgeable than women ⩾50 years old (29 vs 58% answering correctly). A logistic regression analysis predicting the likelihood of having obtained a screening mammogram according to the guidelines found the following to be predictive: concern over radiation (negative association), age (negative association), family history, knowledge of guidelines, and cost of a mammogram (negative association). Other demographic factors and beliefs were not significantly related to this dependent variable.

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  • Cited by (0)

    Supported by Grant CA48439 from the National Cancer Institute to the first author.

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