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Breast cancer knowledge and barriers to mammography in a low-income managed care population

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Abstract

Background. Low-income women experience multiple barriers to screening mammography. This study explored cancer knowledge as a point of intervention to reduce overall barriers. Methods. A survey of breast cancer knowledge and barriers was obtained from 173 low-income female residents of Middle Tennessee, ≥40 years, enrolled in the state managed care organization and nonadherent to mammography. Multiple regression models examined the effect of breast cancer knowledge on mammography screening barriers. Results. Comprehensive breast cancer knowledge, not mere screening awareness, was the strongest contributor towards lower barrier scores. Conclusions. Strategies to overcome mammography barriers should include comprehensive breast cancer education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Robert Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street HLS 588, 33199, Miami, FL

    Nasar U. Ahmed PhD & Gillian Haber MPh

  2. Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN

    Jane G. Fort PhD & Alecia Malin Fair DPh

  3. Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

    Kofi Semenya PhD

Authors
  1. Nasar U. Ahmed PhD
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  2. Jane G. Fort PhD
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  3. Alecia Malin Fair DPh
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  4. Kofi Semenya PhD
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  5. Gillian Haber MPh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nasar U. Ahmed PhD.

Additional information

Supported by grant from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Fund No. DAMD 17-96-l-627.

This article is dedicated to the late Dr. Robert Hardy who led the development and initial implementation of the project.

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Ahmed, N.U., Fort, J.G., Fair, A.M. et al. Breast cancer knowledge and barriers to mammography in a low-income managed care population. J Canc Educ 24, 261–266 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1080/08858190902973077

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