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Published on: August 30, 2013
Racial trends in mammography rates: a population-based study
Anees B Chagpar1, Hiram C Polk, Kelly M McMasters
1Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. anees.chagpar@nortonhealthcare.org
Surgery
|August 19, 2008
Summary
Mammography rates are declining, especially among Caucasian women. While African-American women have lower screening rates, socioeconomic factors, not race, explain this disparity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Mammography screening rates have shown a downward trend over the past five years.
- Understanding trends in cancer screening is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate racial disparities in the declining mammography rates.
- To identify factors influencing mammography utilization among different racial groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for years 2000 and 2005.
- Focused on Caucasian and African-American women aged 40 and above who completed the cancer module.
- Employed univariate and multivariate analyses to assess predictors of mammography rates.
Main Results:
- Mammography rates declined from 2000 to 2005 in both Caucasian (69.8% to 66.7%) and African-American (64.4% to 62.9%) women.
- The decline was statistically significant only in the Caucasian population (P = .0006).
- Multivariate analysis indicated that race was not an independent predictor of mammography rates when controlling for education, income, and insurance status.
Conclusions:
- Mammography utilization is decreasing, with a notable decline observed in Caucasian women.
- Apparent racial disparities in mammography rates are attributed to differences in socioeconomic factors.
- Addressing socioeconomic barriers is key to improving cancer screening equity.
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