BREAST-CANCER SCREENING AMONG SOUTHWEST AMERICAN-INDIAN WOMEN LIVING ON-RESERVATION

Background. One-and five-year breast cancer survival rates are signifi cantly lower among Southwest American Indian (AI) women compared with non-Hispanic whites, primarily due to late stage at diagnosis. By dete cting cancers at an earlier stage, screening mammography can reduce br east cancer mortality by 30% among women ages 50-69 years. Methods. To determine rate of and predictors of participation in breast cancer sc reening services among Southwest AI women, randomly selected AI women living on the Arizona Hopi reservation were interviewed. Independent p redictors of breast cancer screening were determined using logistic re gression analyses among respondents ages ''greater than or equal to 40 years (n = 314). Results. Of respondents greater than or equal to 40 years, 26.4% had had a mammogram in the past 2 years, and 23.2% of wom en greater than or equal to 50 years had had both a mammogram and a cl inical breast examination, Mammography screening in the past 2 years w as independently associated with an age between 50 and 59 years, knowl edge of the procedure, belief that mammography can detect breast cance r, having yearly Pap smears, and use of the Hopi-language. Conclusion. Self-reported breast cancer screening rates among this population of AI women are far below objectives set for the Year 2000. This study co nfirms the importance of breast cancer screening knowledge and partici pation in routine medical services to rates of breast cancer screening . (C) 1998 Academic Press.