COMPLIANCE WITH THE SCREENING MAMMOGRAPHY PROGRAM OF BRITISH-COLUMBIA- WILL SHE RETURN

Objective: To identify factors associated with compliance in the Scree ning Mammography Program of British Columbia (SMPBC). Method: Factors associated with rescreening within 18 months (annual compliers) and be tween 18 to 36 months later (late compliers) were identified in a coho rt of SMPBC screenees using a self-administered questionnaire. Results : Fewer than half of women initially screened within the SMPBC were an nual compliers, nearly 40% not returning by 3 years. IN women age 50years, annual compliers tended to have no prior mammography, no prior breast pain, a physician referral to SMPBC, and a normal initial SMPBC mammogram. Late compliers also tended to have no prior mammography, a physician referral, and a normal initial SMPBC mammogram. Conclusions : Several modifiable factors associated with compliance were identifie d: a physician referral to the program and possibly subsequent referra l back to the program after workup for an abnormal mammogram.