title: A cross-border comparison of breast and cervical cancer screening uptake.
abstract: This study investigated differences in uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening relating to socio-economic characteristics in the Republic and Northern Ireland. Multivariate analyses were performed using data from population-based surveys that detail breast and cervical cancer screening participation in the preceding 12 months in the two jurisdictions. Cervical screening rates were significantly higher in Northern Ireland where 536/1764 (30%) eligible women attended screening in comparison to the Republic where only 780/4472 (17%) eligible women attended screening. Differences in participation related to socio-economic group and education were also observed in screening programmes for cervical cancer (Wald: p = 0.000; p = 0.010) and related to education for breast cancer (Wald: p = 0.008) in the Republic of Ireland. Differences in participation across socio-economic groups in respect of breast and cervical cancer screening were not replicated in Northern Ireland. These differences may contribute to inequalities in treatment and outcomes across socio-economic groups in the Republic of Ireland.
authors.affiliation: HRB/NCI Health Economics, NUI Galway, University Rd, Galway.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silles
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Neill
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003625:Data Collection; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009660:Northern Ireland; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*