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.
King
E
E
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Cheltenham, PA 19012.
Rimer
B K
BK
Balshem
A
A
Ross
E
E
Seay
J
J
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