WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS TO BREAST CANCER SCREENING/MAMMOGRAPHY IN FREDERICKSBURG, TX?

Date

2014-03

Authors

Baker, Laura
Patel, Pinal
Chiapa-Scifres, Ana
Bowling, John

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Abstract

Breast cancer screening via mammography has been shown to catch cancer at earlier stages than would otherwise be caught. There are multiple reasons that women do not get mammograms and these reasons tend to differ in rural versus urban populations. This survey was distributed to female patients age 40 and over at Fredericksburg clinic in Fredericksburg, TX. Purpose (a): There are many barriers to breast cancer screening. Research has shown that lack of information about mammography, lower socioeconomic status, lower education level, lack of insurance, and travel burden are barriers to breast cancer screening. A lot of these barriers tend to exist in different proportions in a rural community versus an urban city. These barriers exist in Fredericksburg, but to varying degrees than other areas. The aim of this study was to determine what the barriers to breast cancer screening are in Fredericksburg, TX. Methods (b): Surveys were distributed to female patients over the age of 40 in Fredericksburg Clinic. The study sample included 36 surveys collected from January to March of 2013. The survey included demographic information, medical history, and factors related to breast cancer screening. Results (c): Average age of surveyed patients was 61.4 years. About 70% of respondents said that travel was not a burden to getting an annual mammogram out of the 91.2% that were screened. Out of 77.1% surveyed who thought that travelling was not a burden to getting an annual mammogram, 60% would need to drive less than 20 miles for a mammogram. The relationship between doctor recommendation of a mammogram and insurance coverage was investigated using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. There was a positive correlation between the two variables, r=.46, n=36,p=0.005. Conclusions (d): A statistically significant association was found between travel distance and whether they thought travel was a burden. Most patients will travel in order to get a once yearly mammogram but it can be considered to be a burden. Efforts to decrease the distance that some patients have to drive for a mammogram would increase the rates of women that get recommended screenings. Patients that had health insurance were more likely to see a doctor regularly and be recommended further health screenings. With an increase of healthcare coverage, doctors should be able to better recommend preventative health practices to patients.

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