Factors associated with self-reported mammography use for women with and women without a disability

Abstract

Background: Although their risk of breast cancer is similar to that of women without a disability, women with a disability might be less likely to obtain a mammogram within the recommended time frame. The purpose of this study was to expand our knowledge of the association between mammography use and having a disability by controlling for sociodemographic and health variables.

Methods: Data from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used to obtain prevalence of self-reported mammography use in the past 2 years among U.S. women ≥40 years of age (n=204,981) as well as women 50-74 years of age (n=122,374). Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between disability and obtaining a mammogram for each age cohort, controlling for sociodemographic factors.

Results: Prevalence of self-reported mammography use is lower for women with a disability (72.2% for women ≥40 years of age and 78.1% for women 50-74 years of age) than women without a disability (77.8% and 82.6%, respectively). Women with a disability had lower odds of mammography use than women without a disability for both age cohorts (≥40, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.92, p=0.01; 50-74 years, aOR 0.92, p=0.03).

Conclusions: Disparities in obtaining a mammogram at recommended screening intervals persist for women with disabilities. This demonstrates the need for continued health promotion and prevention activities directed toward women with a disability to improve their accessibility to obtaining a mammogram.