Breast and cervical cancer screening among low-income women in Nebraska: findings from the Every Woman Matters program, 1993-2004

Abstract

Objective: To examine the likelihood of enrollees in the Nebraska Every Woman Matters program being screened for breast and cervical cancer.

Methods: We explored the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and receiving cancer screening services.

Results: Older and Native American women were more likely than younger and White women to have mammograms ordered [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08, 1.85]. African American [OR=0.54, 95% CI 0.46, 0.64] and Native American women [OR=0.47, 95% CI 0.39, 0.55] were less likely than White women to have clinical breast exams performed. Native American [OR=0.19, 95% CI 0.16, 0.23] and African American women [OR=0.56, 95% CI 0.46, 0.68] were less likely than White women to have a Pap test performed.

Conclusion: Receiving cancer screening services was related to race; thus, understanding barriers for screening for minority women is warranted.