Mammography-related beliefs of older women. A survey of an HMO population.
Although breast cancer risk increases with age, most studies show that mammography use decreases. A 15-minute telephone survey of 548 women health maintenance organization (HMO) members aged 65 to 74 who had not obtained a mammogram within the past year was undertaken to identify sociodemographic factors as well as knowledge, belief, and attitudinal characteristics associated with mammography history. Women who had never had a mammogram were less likely to have received a physician's recommendation and more likely to express negative attitudes about mammography, such as having a mammogram means "looking for trouble" and "makes me nervous." In addition, they expressed doubts about their need to have a mammogram and reported that "other problems" prevented them from having a mammogram. These results suggest that women who have never had a mammogram may require more intensive interventions to encourage them to obtain mammograms. In addition to receiving a mammography recommendation from their physicians, they might benefit from individual or small group educational sessions where negative attitudes about mammography could be explored and modified.
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cheltenham, PA 19012.
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King
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BK
Rimer
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Balshem
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Ross
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Seay
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires