Patterns and determinants of breast and cervical cancer non-screening among Appalachian women.
Breast and cervical cancer account for nearly one-third of new cancer cases and one-sixth of cancer deaths. Cancer, the second leading cause of all deaths in the United States, will claim the lives of nearly 800,000 women this year, which is particularly unfortunate because effective modes of early detection could significantly reduce mortality from breast and cervical cancer. Researchers examined patterns of non-screening among Appalachian women. In-person interviews were conducted with 222 Appalachian women who fell outside of screening recommendations for timing of Pap tests and mammograms. These women, from six Appalachian counties, were participating in a group-randomized, multi-component trial aimed at increasing adherence to cancer screening recommendations. Results indicated that participants who were rarely or never screened for breast cancer were also likely to be rarely or never screened for cervical cancer. In addition, four key barriers were identified as independently and significantly associated with being rarely or never screened for both cervical and breast cancer. An improved understanding of cancer screening patterns plus the barriers underlying lack of screening may move researchers closer to developing effective interventions that facilitate women's use of screening.
Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA. nesch@uky.edu
Nancy E
NE
Schoenberg
Christina R
CR
Studts
Jenna
J
Hatcher-Keller
Eliza
E
Buelt
Elwanda
E
Adams
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007629:Kentucky; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*