Abstract
African American women have the lowest breast cancer survival rate of any racial/ethnic group in the USA, due partially from late stage diagnosis. It is recommended that all women receive an annual mammogram beginning at age 40. The purpose of the current study was to explore differences among African American women who were compliant and non-compliant with mammography screening recommendations. Face-to-face structured interviews, which included demographic, health, screening history, and factors related to screening behavior, were conducted with 462 African American women over 40 years of age with no prior history of cancer. Seventy-three percent of respondents reported having a mammogram and 24% reported not having a mammogram in the past year. The mean age of the sample was 57 years (SD=10.59), with no significant difference in age (t=3.47) or family history of breast cancer (x2=3.47) amongst the two groups. Findings indicate that women not having a mammogram were significantly less likely to have health insurance (x2=25.50, p=.001), a clinical breast exam by a medical professional (x2=50.10, p=.001), or had a previous mammogram (x2=41.32, p=.001). There were no difference between the number of doctor visits during the past year (t=2.19); however, those women not having a mammogram were significantly less likely to have had a clinical breast exam at their last check-up (x2=15.60, p=.001) and less likely to be told by their doctor to get a mammogram (x2=52.45, p=.001). Results suggest that women who did not get a mammogram were significantly more likely to be concerned about radiation (x2=23.98, p=.001), pain (x2=52.45, p=.001), time to get screened (x2=40.26, p=.001), transportation (x2=20.47, p=.001), not having insurance (x2=26.72, p=.001), and less likely to schedule a future mammogram (x2=33.80, p=.001). Early detection is a key factor in increasing breast cancer survival rates. Strategies for improving compliance among minority women will be addressed.