Breast cancer screening in a rural Wisconsin community.
BACKGROUND
Screening tests have been shown to play an important role in earlier disease stage detection of breast cancer.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the acceptance of screening mammography in a rural community in Wisconsin.


METHODS
A cohort of 60 patients with breast cancer was analyzed retrospectively for disease stage, screening mammography, and patient compliance.


RESULTS
Of 60 patients with breast cancer, only 25 (42%) underwent screening mammography. Compliance was suboptimal among patients; especially poor in the elderly population.


CONCLUSIONS
Promotional steps to increase acceptance of screening tests need to be emphasized especially in patients > or = 60 years in age to enhance early detection of breast cancer and prolong disease-free interval.
Venugopalan
M
M
Department of Medicine and Oncology, Burlington Memorial Hospital, 248 McHenry St, Burlington, WI 53105, USA.
Schmidt
E W
EW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology