Abstract

One of every eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Although early detection of breast cancer is the most effective method of assuring survival, many older women do not avail themselves of this advantage. Hypotheses that explain breast cancer mammography screening practices by older women can be classified as health beliefs and socioeconomic/structural issues. This study assessed whether individual health beliefs and/or demographic factors were associated with obtaining recent and regular mammography screening for women 55 years and older who reside in an area of Appalachia that has increased incidences of breast cancer. Data were collected from four hundred and four women from fourteen counties in rural, urban, and suburban areas of Eastern Tennessee who attended Community Senior Citizens Centers. Individual health beliefs and demographic characteristics were associated with a higher likelihood of having recent and regular mammography screenings.