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.
Notes
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.