Cancer screening behaviors and attitudes of women in southeastern Minnesota
T. E. Kottke, M. A. Trapp, M. M. Fores, A. W. Kelly, S. H. Jung, P. J. Novotny and L. A. Panser
National Cancer Institute-Designated Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
OBJECTIVES--To determine the rates at which women received screening
Papanicolaou tests, clinical breast examinations, and mammography and to
determine the extent to which these women might be expected to respond to
screening recommendations from their physicians. DESIGN--Random-digit-dial
telephone interviews conducted in January 1993. SETTING--Fifteen counties
in southeastern Minnesota. SUBJECTS--A sample of 1019 women who completed
the telephone interview. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Self-reported Papanicolaou
test, clinical breast examination, and mammography screening rates, with
verification from medical records for a randomly selected subsample of 200
respondents who reported having had a test within 1 year of the interview.
RESULTS--For women aged 18 years and older, 60% (95% confidence interval,
+/- 3.4%) reported having had a Papanicolaou test within the preceding
year. For women 40 years of age and older, 57% (95% confidence interval,
+/- 3.5%) reported having had a clinical breast examination in the past
year, and 46% (95% confidence interval, +/- 3.6%) reported having had a
screening mammogram within 1 year. The verified 1-year Papanicolaou test
and mammogram rates were 35% and 33%, respectively. More than 90% of the
respondents expressed a willingness to have these tests if their physicians
were to advise them that the tests were indicated. However, 53% and 54% of
the respondents, respectively, said that they either did not care or did
not want their physicians to remind them when they were due for a
Papanicolaou test or a mammogram. CONCLUSIONS--Although self-reported
screening rates in this population meet Healthy People 2000 goals, verified
rates were significantly below target levels. A substantial proportion of
women in this population remain ambivalent about participating in cancer
detection programs.
