Abstract 2806: Factors that influence screening mammography among African American and Mexican American women with breast cancer: Findings from the ELLA Binational Breast Cancer Study
Authors: Zenuk Rachel L. , Nodora Jesse , Carvajal Scott , Cruz Giovanna , Wertheim Betsy C. , Thompson-Carino Patricia , Brewster Abenaa , Wilkinson Anna , Bondy Melissa , Martinez Maria Elena 
Published: February 2011

Screening mammography is associated with early detection of breast cancer (BC) and reduced BC mortality. To understand factors that influence screening mammography receipt in minority women with unrecognized risk factors for BC, this study examined BC screening behaviors among women with BC. Due to the BC survival disparities observed in African American (AA) and Mexican American (MA) women compared to whites, AA and MA women living in Texas and Arizona who were participants of the ELLA Binational Breast Cancer Study were selected for this study based on a diagnosis of BC. Data on socioeconomic status (SES), reproductive history, family history, insurance status, acculturation, and breast health history were collected via questionnaires and medical record abstraction. 601 women aged 40 years or older at time of BC diagnosis were included in this study, including 270 AA, 151 MA women classified as high-acculturation (MA-HA) and 180 MA women classified as low-acculturation (MA-LA). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess differences in mammography receipt in the last five years prior to BC diagnosis stratified by race/ethnicity and acculturation and for all groups combined. MA women in this study suffer a larger disparity than AA women with regards to screening mammography. Despite high rates of screening mammography among AA and MA women, 62% of BC was self-detected in the study population. AA women (OR=1.0) and MA-HA (OR=0.91; 95% CI: 0.57-1.48) women were more than twice as likely to receive screening mammography compared to MA-LA (OR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.25-0.59), adjusted for age. After adjusting for age, education, and insurance, there was no significant difference in screening mammography receipt between these three groups. Women who had a known family history of BC were more than twice as likely to receive screening mammography than women who had unknown or no family history (OR=2.02; 95% CI: 1.19-3.55). However, although AA and MA-HA women were twice as likely as MA-LA to report a family history of BC (20% vs. 23% vs. 12%, respectively), recognized family history did not account for the differences in screening mammography use between these groups. Thus, the differences observed in screening mammography receipt by race/ethnicity and acculturation among AA, MA-HA, and MA-LA are likely explained by SES variables, including education and insurance. Due to the large proportion of AA and MA women who reported self-detecting their BC, women must be educated about the importance of breast awareness and prompt reporting of findings to a health professional after noticing breast changes. In addition, cancer screening programs targeting underserved women should provide culturally appropriate messages about the importance of knowing their family history and the benefits of screening mammography.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2806.