Factors associated with Breast Cancer Screening among Women in the United States

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a major public health concern around the globe. It is the second leading cause of mortality in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer incidence rates for 2011-2015 was 124.7 per 100,000, placing breast cancer incidence rates at the top of the list. Breast cancer mortality rates for 2012-2016 was 20.9 people per 100,000, placing breast cancer mortality rates after Lung and bronchus cancer. Healthy People 2020 states that breast cancer is highly detectable in early stages through breast screening using mammography. Despite an increased in screening and a 10% improvement in breast cancer death rates, breast cancer remains the focus of public health prevention in the US. Objective: To identified factors which are associated with breast cancer screening: mammography among women in the United States. Methods: We analyzed logistic regression models using data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to evaluate factors which are associated with mammography screening among women in the United States. Results: The most important result from the study was the association between health insurance and access to mammography screening. Women without health insurance are less likely to access mammography screening compared to women with health insurance. African American woman had slightly higher rate of recent mammogram compared to non-Hispanic White women. Women aged 51-64 reported more recent mammogram compared to women aged 40-50. Women from southern region of United States reported less recent mammogram compared to rest of the United States. Non-smokers were more likely to access mammography screening compared to smokers. Women with education attainment of bachelor's degree or higher were more likely to access mammography screening compared to women with high-school degree or less. Conclusion: The study indicated the importance of health insurance and education attainment for the access to mammography screening. The results urge researchers and public health officials to promote health education at secondary educational institutions such as high-school because it can increase women's understanding of health messages which may result in positive health behavior. The study highlights the importance of health insurance for ensuring positive healthy behaviors such as screening.