Urban Versus Rural Patterns of Mammography Use: An Analysis of Two Southeastern States

• Main Author: Bycott, Valerie Miranda
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Archive @ GSU 2007
• Subjects: women; cancer; North Carolina; Georgia; disparities; Public Health
• Online Access: http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/iph_theses/15; http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=iph_theses

Mammography is widely recognized as the best method to detect breast cancer. This study examined the screening rate differences among women who live in urban and rural counties in Georgia and North Carolina. Data on the mammography screening rates was obtained from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for 2002 and 2004. To assess the availability of mammography facilities, data was obtained from the Mammography Facility Database provided by the FDA. Multivariate logistic regression showed that having a usual source of care in urban counties was a positive predictor of women 40-59 years of age getting screened in both states; having a personal doctor and health care coverage was significantly associated with women ages 60 and above getting screened. Getting screened was negatively predicted for women 60 years of age and older who had only a high school education. Data pertaining to mammography screening rates at the state level needs to be made publicly available to compare differences that exist among states. To better address an individual’s access to mammography facilities, a survey should be developed by the American Cancer Society which addresses the facility’s hours of operation, populations served from neighboring counties, translation services available and number of mobile versus permanent facilities in each county. INDEX WORDS: mammography, screening, breast cancer, urban, rural, barriers, access, state cancer plan, metropolitan, non metropolitan