Using data from the Health Care and Financing Administration (HCFA) and the Tennessee Cancer Reporting System for the period 1992-93, we compared the use of mammography and stage of breast cancer when first diagnosed among elderly women aged 65 and above according to race (African-Americans vs. Caucasians) and geographic location (the Mississippi Delta region (MDR) vs. the rest of the state). The MDR is economically the poorest region in the United States. Ninety-six percent of mammograms performed on women 65 and above were included in the data from HCFA. Breast cancer was classified as early (in situ or local) or late (regional or distant). Our results showed that while African-Americans were 35% less likely to have had a mammogram compared to Caucasian women in the non-MDR, (OR=0.65, [95% C.I. 0.62 to 0.67]), they were 55% less likely to have had the procedure than their Caucasian counterparts in the MDR (OR=0.45, [95% C.I. 0.44-0.47]). In the non-MDR, African–American women were 41% less likely to be diagnosed with early cancer when compared with Caucasian women (OR=0.59, [95% C.I. 0.40 to 0.87]). The difference became greater (52% less likely) in the MDR (OR=0.48 [95% C.I. 0.34 to 0.68]). Our findings suggest that the disparities between African-American and Caucasian women in mammography use and breast cancer staging may be further magnified by factors related to the difference in geographic location and the level of economy.
Learning Objectives: 1.Describe breast cancer and mammography trends 2.Conduct and analyze an ecological study 3.Recognize barriers to mammography screening
Keywords: Breast Cancer, Mammography Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.