Cancer Trends Progress Report - Breast Cancer Screening

Regular use of screening mammograms, followed by timely treatment when breast cancer is diagnosed, can help reduce the chances of dying from breast cancer. For women between the ages of 50 and 69, there is strong evidence that screening lowers this risk by 30 percent. For women in their 40s, the risk can be reduced by about 17 percent. For women aged 70 and older, mammography may be helpful, although firm evidence is lacking.

Percentage of women aged 40 and older, by racial/ethnic, geographic, and low-income groups, who reported having had a mammogram within the past 2 years.

Trends – Rising until 2000, then stable for Whites while continuing to rise for other racial/ethnic groups until 2003. Among White women aged 40 and older, trend fell slightly between 2003–2005.

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Most Recent Estimates

In 2005, 67 percent of women aged 40 and older had a mammogram within the past 2 years, a statistically significant drop from 70% in 2003. Among racial/ethnic groups, 59 percent of Hispanics (down from 65 percent in 2003), 65 percent of Blacks (down from 70 percent in 2003), and 68 percent of Whites (down from 71 percent in 2003) had a mammogram within the past 2 years, but these drops were not statistically significant. Among Asian women interviewed in California only, 74 percent had a mammogram in 2005, the same rate as in 2003.

Healthy People 2010 Targets

Increase to 70 percent the proportion of women aged 40 and older who have had a mammogram within the past 2 years. This target was met in 2003, but the rate dropped to 67 percent, below the target, in 2005.

Groups at High Risk for Not Being Screened

Women who are immigrants and those with lower incomes, with less education, without insurance, and lacking a usual health care provider are less likely to get screening mammograms.

Key Issues

Cost and knowledge barriers, including lack of insurance and providers that discourage women from getting regular mammograms, need to be removed.

While millions of women have had at least one screening mammogram, many women still have not. Also, even among those women who have had a recent screening mammogram, many do not have them on a regular basis. For women to benefit from mammography, regular screening is needed.

Additional Information on Breast Cancer Screening

Breast Cancer (PDQ®): Screening - Health Professionals
http://cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/screening/breast/healthprofessional
California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) (UCLA)
http://www.chis.ucla.edu/
Factors Associated with Women's Adherence to Mammography Screening Guidelines (Health Services Research)
http://www.hospitalconnect.com/hsr/database/viewarticle.jsp?articleId=123
Free or low-cost programs providing mammography and clinical breast examination in your area
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm
Healthy People 2010, Volume 1, Chapter 3 - Cancer
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/document/HTML/Volume1/03Cancer.htm
Medicaid coverage for mammography and clinical breast examination
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/
Medicare coverage for mammography and clinical breast examination
http://www.medicare.gov/health/cervical.asp
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (NCHS)
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm
State Cancer Profiles, Latest Rates, Percents, and Counts
http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/micromaps/
US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations (AHRQ)
http://ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm