Predictors and Trend in Attendance for Breast Cancer Screening in Lithuania, 2006–2014

Abstract

In Lithuania, a Nationwide Breast Cancer (BC) Screening Program was launched in 2005, offering mammography for women aged 50 to 69 years, every other year. This study aimed to determine the trend in the attendance for mammography screening during 2006–2014 and to identify the factors that are predictive for participation in it. The study sample consisted of 1941 women aged 50–64 years, who participated in five cross-sectional biennial postal surveys of Lithuanian Health Behavior Monitoring, carried out in independent national random samples. The attendance for screening was identified if women reported having had a mammogram within the last two years. The proportion of women attending the screening was continuously increasing from 20.0% in 2006 up to 65.8% in 2014. The attendance for BC screening was associated with the participation in cervical cancer screening. A higher level of education, living in a city, frequent contact with a doctor, and healthy behaviors (fresh-vegetable consumption, physical activity, and absence of alcohol abuse) were associated with higher participation rates in BC screening. To increase BC screening uptake and to reduce inequalities in attendance, new strategies of organized BC screening program using systematic personal invitations are required in Lithuania.

Factors associated with attendance and attendance patterns in a population-based mammographic screening program

“…Current or previous smoking status was associated with a lower IRR of attendance, which is in line with previous studies, 12,26 implying that smoking could be a habit attributable to women less concerned about breast cancer prevention compared to non-smokers, who are possibly more aware of the positive sides of a healthy lifestyle. PA ≥2 h a week was associated with a higher IRR of attendance in the program.…”

“…Both higher and lower education levels have been reported to be negatively associated with screening attendance. 12,24,26 Our results suggest that women with college/university education attend less frequently compared to women with a lower level of education. However, the differences are very small, and the statistical significance could mainly have been achieved due to the large sample size.…”

Breast and cervical cancer screening adherence in Jiangsu, China: An ecological perspective

“…Our results also showed that weekly exercise was positively associated with screening attendance. Health attitudes may be the reason for participating in screening ( 31 ). Jin et al ( 32 ) indicated that women who underwent regular medical checkups were more likely to be screened.…”

“…Our findings also showed these results. In addition to health attitudes ( 31 ) and communication with healthcare staff ( 32 ), a possible reason is that the project for “two-cancer” screening may be included in some health checkups. Thus, it is important to promote women's attitudes.…”

“…The data on the effect of smoking and alcohol consumption on screening were also contradictory in a previous study. Some studies reported a positive association between absence of alcohol and smoking and screening ( 31 , 33 ), while others revealed that individuals who did not drink or smoke were less likely to be screened ( 34 ). In addition, some authors have not found any associations ( 35 , 36 ).…”