Trends in self-reported use of mammograms (1989-1997) and Papanicolaou tests (1991-1997)--Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

PROBLEM/CONDITION In 1999, an estimated 175,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 43,300 will die from the disease. In the same year, an estimated 12,800 women will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, and 4,800 will die from it. Early detection and timely treatment of breast cancer and cervical dysplasia can alter the progress of and reduce mortality from these diseases. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED 1989-1997 for breast cancer screening and 1991-1997 for cervical cancer screening. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is a state-based telephone survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized adult population (i.e., persons aged > or =18 years). In this report, responses for women aged > or =40 years are included for measures of breast cancer screening, and responses for women aged > or =18 years with an intact uterine cervix are included for measures of cervical cancer screening. RESULTS The percentage of women aged > or =40 years who reported ever participating in breast cancer screening and the proportion who had participated within the previous 2 years increased during 1989-1997. The percentage of women aged > or =18 years who reported ever participating in cervical cancer screening and the proportion who had participated within the previous 2 years were stable during 1991-1997. For both types of screening, substantially fewer women had received screening within the previous 2 years than had ever been screened. INTERPRETATION These findings may indicate that some women who participate in initial screening do not seek further screening. ACTIONS TAKEN Initiatives to encourage women to receive initial screening should continue, but additional initiatives specifically aimed at promoting rescreening should be developed. Continued surveillance of the percentage of women who receive regular screening will help public health officials evaluate breast and cervical cancer prevention programs.

[1]  S. Scrimshaw,et al.  Determinants of adherence among health department patients referred for a mammogram. , 1996, Women & health.

[2]  S Kamen,et al.  The task force. , 1976, Journal of hospital dental practice.

[3]  N. Lee,et al.  The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program: a comprehensive public health response to two major health issues for women. , 1996, Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP.

[4]  L. Sanderson,et al.  Cancer screening behaviors among U.S. women: breast cancer, 1987-1989, and cervical cancer, 1988-1989. , 1992, MMWR. CDC surveillance summaries : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. CDC surveillance summaries.

[5]  N. Kiviat.  Natural history of cervical neoplasia: overview and update. , 1996, American journal of obstetrics and gynecology.

[6]  A. Leitch,et al.  American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer: Update 1997 , 1997, CA: a cancer journal for clinicians.

[7]  D E Nelson,et al.  Validity of self reported data on injury prevention behavior: lessons from observational and self reported surveys of safety belt use in the US. , 1996, Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention.

[8]  S. Peacock,et al.  Repeat mammography use among women ages 50-75. , 1995, Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology.

[9]  H. Schauffler.  Disease prevention policy under Medicare: a historical and political analysis. , 1993, American journal of preventive medicine.

[10]  J. Horton,et al.  Compliance with mammography screening guidelines: 1995 Mammography Attitudes and Usage Study Report. , 1996, Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health.

[11]  N. Urban,et al.  Mammography utilization, public health impact, and cost-effectiveness in the United States. , 1993, Annual review of public health.

[12]  E S Hafez,et al.  Uterine cervix. , 1969, Science.

[13]  E. Power.  Pap smears, elderly women, and Medicare. , 1993, Cancer investigation.

[14]  Joseph Waksberg,et al.  Sampling Methods for Random Digit Dialing , 1978 .

[15]  J. Zapka,et al.  Mammography use among sociodemographically diverse women: the accuracy of self-report. , 1996, American journal of public health.

[16]  D. May,et al.  Has the use of cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening increased in the United States? , 1995, American journal of public health.

[17]  S Shapiro,et al.  Report of the International Workshop on Screening for Breast Cancer. , 1993, Journal of the National Cancer Institute.