Breast cancer screening among women from 65 to 74 years of age in 1987-88 and 1991. NCI Breast Cancer Screening Consortium.
OBJECTIVE
To compare breast cancer screening rates from the 1991 survey with data from 1987-88 for women aged 65 to 74.


METHODS
Surveys of women from five communities.


METHODS
Five control communities of the National Cancer Institute's Breast Cancer Screening Consortium.


METHODS
White, non-Hispanic women, ages 65 to 74; 499 in 1987-88 and 2156 in 1991. Response rates for the first survey wave ranged by area from 65% to 77% and for the second survey wave, from 62% to 85%.


METHODS
Mammogram and clinical breast examination during the past year and performance of monthly breast self examination, with the screening rates in wave 2 directly standardized to the income and education distribution of wave 1 in each area.


RESULTS
Mammography use between waves increased significantly (P < 0.05 after adjusting for education, income, and age) in all but one area (from 19% to 33% in wave 1 to 35% to 59% in wave 2). Among women who had a mammogram, the percent who also had a clinical breast examination decreased between waves from 95% to 85% (P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Mammography in older women increased dramatically over 3 years, although the use of clinical breast examination may be decreasing.
Coleman
E A
EA
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.
Feuer
E J
EJ
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D016345:Medicare Part B; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States