Screening for breast and cervical cancers: The importance of knowledge andperceived cancer survivability

Introduction. This study examines the association between recent screening for breast and cervical cancers, knowledge of cancer risk factors, and perc eptions of surviving cancer. Methods. Data were from the Cancer Control Supplement to the 1992 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS-CCS). The dependent variable combined breast and cervical cancer screening practices into a single composite index. Two independent variables combined women's knowledge about breast and cervical cancers into single indicators-one representing risk factor knowledge, the other representing perceived likelihood of surviving breast and cervical ca ncers following early detection. Results. Multivariate analysis showed that recency of screening for both br east and cervical cancers was associated with knowledge of cancer risk fact ors and perceptions of surviving cancer. Education, household income, and s moking status also were correlates of comprehensive screening. Significant interactions between income and perceived survivability, and between educat ion and perceived survivability suggested that the effects of income and ed ucation on comprehensive screening varied with perceptions about surviving cancer. Conclusion. The study suggests that knowledge and attitudinal questions can be combined for two diseases to enhance understanding of who is most likel y to be screened comprehensively for breast and cervical cancers. Although national trends show that large percentages of women over age 50 are having mammograms and Pap tests, this progress is not likely to be sustained unle ss existing barriers are eliminated. Limited knowledge about breast and cer vical cancer risk factors and misperceptions about survival from cancer rep resent two of these barriers.