RACE AND MAMMOGRAPHY USE IN 2 NORTH-CAROLINA COUNTIES

Objectives. This study investigated racial differences in mammography use and their association with physicians' recommendations and other f actors. Methods. The study used 1988 survey data for 948 women 50 year s of age and older from the New Hanover Breast Cancer Screening Progra m. Racial differences in terms of physician recommendation, personal c haracteristics. health characteristics, and attitudes toward breast ca ncer and mammography were examined. Factors at least minimally associa ted with race and use were included in multivariate logistic regressio n analyses to examine the effect of race while controlling for other f actors. Results. In comparison with White women, Black women were half as likely to report ever having had a mammogram (27% vs 52%) and havi ng a mammogram in the past year (17% vs 36%). Black women also signifi cantly less often reported physician recommendation (25% vs 52%). Alth ough Black and White women differed significantly in other characteris tics, multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that physici an recommendation accounted for 60% to 75% of the initial racial diffe rences in mammography use. Conclusions. Understanding physicians' reco mmendations for breast cancer screening is a critical first step to in creasing mammography use in disadvantaged populations.