[Participation of the immigrant population in breast cancer screening in Tarragona, Spain]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the differences between autochthonous and allochthonous women's participation in a breast cancer screening programme.

Method: Retrospective study based on data from the Breast Cancer Screening Programme of the province of Tarragona (2008-2015). The sample is the target population of the programme with known country of origin.

Results: Cohort of 40,824 women. Allochthonous women participate less than autochthonous women (41.8% vs. 72.3%) although they have a similar global detection rate to the latter but with differences according to the human development index of their country of origin. Both groups present similar tumour stages on detection (p=.59).

Conclusions: Strategies specifically aimed at the immigrant population are required to improve their participation in breast cancer screening.

Keywords: Breast neoplasms; Immigrants; Inmigrantes; Mass screening; Neoplasias de mama; Participación; Participation; Programa de cribado.