Breast and cervical cancer screening in older women: the San Diego Medicare Preventive Health Project.
BACKGROUND. This study presents rates and correlates of cancer screening, including mammography, clinical breast exam, breast self-examination, and Pap tests, in older women. Age was the predictor of main interest. RESULTS. Among a sample of female Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older, who were members of a health maintenance organization, there was a significant, inverse relationship between age and mammography adherence, while controlling for health status, physician utilization, education, and income. The proportions of subjects ages 65-74 and 75+ never having had a mammogram were 17 and 32%, respectively, and the proportions having had annual mammograms were 40 and 28%, respectively. Pap test frequency showed a trend toward an inverse relationship with age, controlling for demographic and health-related variables. In the youngest age group (65-69), 52% had annual Pap tests, whereas in the oldest group (80+), only 36% had annual Pap tests. Age did not predict frequency of clinical breast exam, and the relationship of age to breast self-examination was inconclusive. The role of the physician in promoting cancer screening is discussed.
Mayer
J A
JA
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, CA 92182.
Slymen
D J
DJ
Drew
J A
JA
Wright
B L
BL
Elder
J P
JP
Williams
S J
SJ
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002140:California; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics; D016353:Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data