Closing the Gap in Mammogram Screening

Abstract

A low rate of mammogram screening exists among low-income Hispanic women. To address this disparity, an experimental intervention containing audiovisual and written media was conducted using the health belief model as a framework. The purpose of this study was to determine if low-income Hispanic women, more than 40 years of age, who received targeted cancer prevention education (n = 105) had a significantly greater perceived threat of breast cancer, greater benefits and lower barriers to screening, and stronger intentions to obtain mammograms compared to a control group (n = 105). Intervention participants reported significantly greater perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and mammogram screening intentions than the control group. Predictors of mammogram screening intentions, when controlling for covariates, included receiving the intervention, and having greater perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and lower barriers. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of a low-cost, theory-based intervention aimed at increasing mammogram screening to assist in the monitoring of Healthy People 2020 objectives.

Addressing Potential Health Disparities in the Adoption of Advanced Breast Imaging Technologies

“…The health belief model (HBM) takes into account the association between perceived susceptibility to disease and benefits of breast cancer screening [42]. Patient-level factors, including patient knowledge, health literacy, and cultural beliefs, are important determinants of health behavior [43][44].…”

“…There have only been a few reports estimating mammographic capacity both regionally and nationally. A 2002 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office suggested that the overall national capacity for mammography was adequate to meet the population’s screening needs [42]. However, more recent reports suggest that available resources are not distributed proportionally to sufficiently meet the needs of vulnerable populations or to meet national screening targets set by Healthy People 2020 [62–64].…”

“…The majority of federal funds designated for improving access to breast cancer screening are appropriated for reimbursement of medical expenses, leaving limited funds available for community outreach [17]. Programs designed to address barriers including language and acculturation limitations, deficits in knowledge and cultural beliefs, and literacy, seen disproportionately in vulnerable communities, are critical to increasing access to care [42]. Culturally competent cancer education programs have been established to more appropriately educate women from underserved communities, sometimes by outreach workers from the same community who can provide culturally sensitive breast cancer education [51].…”

The Effect of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Adoption on Facility-Level Breast Cancer Screening Volume

“…An Institute of Medicine (IOM) report suggests that decreasing mammography capacity likely contributes to declines in screening mammography use (3). Furthermore, several reports also suggest that available cancer screening resources are not distributed proportionally to meet the needs of traditionally underserved populations or to meet national screening targets of 81% screened set by Healthy People 2020 (4–6).…”