Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening in Older Women
Author Information
Author(s): Coughlin Steven S, Berkowitz Zahava, Hawkins Nikki A, Tangka Florence
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Do older women who follow breast or colorectal cancer screening recommendations prefer different sources of health information from those who do not?
Conclusion
Educational materials about routine breast and colorectal cancer screening may be helpful for older women, especially low-income and Hispanic women.
Supporting Evidence
- Women aged 75 years and older had lower rates of recent mammography than those aged 65 to 74 years.
- Rates of recent colorectal cancer screening were markedly lower for non-Hispanic black women aged 75 years and older.
- Women with a household income of less than $15,000 had low rates of recent mammography.
- Older women preferred personalized print materials for receiving health information.
Takeaway
This study looked at how older women get information about cancer screening and found that many don't know about the screenings they should have.
Methodology
Data from the Health Information National Trends Survey was analyzed for women aged 65 years and older with no personal history of breast or colorectal cancer.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to nonresponse and the exclusion of noncivilian, institutionalized women.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data may limit the findings, and the low response rate affects generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily non-Hispanic white (85%), with 9% non-Hispanic black and 6.1% Hispanic; 16.9% had a household income of less than $15,000.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.03
Confidence Interval
95% CI
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website