Analysis of data from the 1996/97 National Population Health Survey by Dr. Colleen Maxwell and colleagues shows continued low use of mammography among certain sub-groups of women. Although recommended every 2 years for women aged 50-69, the authors found that only 53.6% of Canadian women in this age group had received a mammogram in the previous 2 years, and more than one-quarter (28.2%) did not intend to have one in the next 2 years. Overall, 79.1% of the women in this age group had had a mammogram at some time.
Most women who had not received a recent mammogram reported that they or their doctor did not think it was necessary. The study shows that women who are older, living in rural areas, are from select ethnic groups, who have less access to health care and preventive services and a relatively unhealthy lifestyle are at particular risk for not receiving appropriate mammography screening.
The authors suggest that organized screening programs have a role to play in reaching underserviced patients, and that improved education strategies for physicians and dedicated recruitment strategies for women could help change screening mammography patterns.
Predictors of mammography use among Canadian women aged 50-69: findings from the 1996/97 National Population Health Survey
-— C.J. Maxwell, C.M. Bancej, J. Snider
Canadian Medical Association Journal