Breast Cancer Screening Disparities for Women Aged 40 to 49
Author Information
Author(s): Gu Tianshu MD, Yuan Jing PhD, White-Means Shelley PhD, Li Minghui PhD
Primary Institution: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Hypothesis
This study aimed to examine disparities and gaps in breast cancer screening among women aged 40 to 49 years.
Conclusion
The study found significant disparities in mammography screening rates among women aged 40 to 49, particularly affecting minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.
Supporting Evidence
- 59.2% of women aged 40 to 49 reported having undergone mammography screening within the last 2 years.
- 15.2% reported overdue screening, and 25.6% reported never having undergone screening.
- Lower screening rates were observed among racial and ethnic minorities, sexual minorities, and those with lower family incomes.
Takeaway
Many women aged 40 to 49 are not getting their breast cancer screenings, especially those from minority and low-income backgrounds.
Methodology
This cross-sectional study used nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey in 2019 and 2021, focusing on women aged 40 to 49 who had not been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Potential Biases
The study may be limited by the reliance on self-reported mammography screening data.
Limitations
Data were collected during a period when biennial mammography screening was considered an individual decision.
Participant Demographics
The study examined women aged 40 to 49, including racial and ethnic minorities, sexual minorities, rural residents, individuals with disabilities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 0.01-0.14
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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