Personal costs incurred by women attending a mammographic screening programme

A survey of the personal costs (travel and time) incurred by 150 randomly selected women attending a mammographic screening programme indicated that 74% travelled by car and 78 (52%) were accompanied by another person. Of the 78 accompanying persons 16 also had a breast x-ray. Fifteen women in the survey and 10 of the unscreened accompanying persons had taken leave from work to attend the programme, and this leave was unpaid for five women and two unscreened accompanying persons. The mean travel costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and opportunity costs per attendance were $6.45, $8.14, and $13.75, respectively. The personal costs involved in attending a screening programme appear to be substantial and may deter women from attending.