The personal costs and convenience of screening mammography.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have examined the impact of women's personal costs on obtaining a screening mammogram in the United States.


METHODS
All women obtaining screening mammograms at nine Connecticut mammography facilities during a 2-week study period were asked to complete a questionnaire. Facilities included urban and rural fixed sites and mobile sites. The survey included questions about insurance coverage, mammogram payment, and personal costs in terms of transportation, family care, parking, and lost work time from the women's perspective.


RESULTS
The response rate was 62% (731 of 1189). Thirty-two percent of respondents incurred some type of personal cost, including lost work time, family care, and parking. Women incurring personal costs were more likely than those without personal costs to attend an urban facility (46% vs. 23%, p < 0.01) and be under the age of 50 (40% vs. 26%, p < 0.01). Overall, 61% of women listed convenience and 17% listed cost as a reason for choosing a mammography facility; 23% reported that cost might prevent them from obtaining a future mammogram.


CONCLUSIONS
One third of women obtaining mammograms may be incurring personal costs. These personal costs should be considered in future cost-effectiveness analyses.
Suter
Lisa Gale
LG
Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Nakano
Connie Y
CY
Elmore
Joann G
JG
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003237:Connecticut; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D008327:Mammography / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014186:Transportation / Q000191:economics; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration