Breast cancer screening, incidence, and mortality in West Virginia

Situated entirely in the Appalachian region, West Virginia (WV) as a state is characterized by a diverse population, with a major portion of the population residing in rural areas. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women residents of the state. Using different data sources, we have reported the most recent screening, incidence, and mortality information associated with breast cancer in WV. In 2006, roughly one-fourth of women > or =40 years of age had not had a mammogram in the past two years. Sociodemographic factors were found to be associated with lack of mammography screening among these women. The leveling off of the increase in the in-situ breast cancer incidence rates in WV since 1999 is closely associated with the bottoming out of the proportion of women without mammography that has been seen since early this decade. Counties in southern and northern part of the state generally have higher invasive breast cancer incidence rates than those in the central part. Breast cancer-related mortality is higher among southern counties in comparison to counties in northern and central part of the state, with mortality rates higher than the national average in McDowell, Mingo, Wayne, and Mason Counties. There is a compelling need to increase access to mammography screening among women residents in the state.