Racial trends in mammography rates: a population-based study

Background. The rates of mammography have been declining over the last 5 years. The objective of this study was to examine racial disparities in this trend. Methods. The National Health Interview Survey is a population-based interview survey conducted annually. Caucasian and African-American women over 40 years of age who completed the cancer module of this survey in 2000 and 2005 formed the cohort of interest for this study. Results. In 2000, 6.8% of Caucasian and 64.4% of African-American women over the age of 40 had had a mammogram within the preceding 2 years. In 2005, these rates declined to 66.7% and 62.9% respectively. This decline only reached statistical significance in the Caucasian population (P = .0006 vs P = .4998). While on univariate analysis a significant difference was seen between rates of mammography in Caucasian and African-American women (P < .0001), multivariate analysis controlling for education, income, and insurance status, did not find race to be a significant independent predictor of mammography rates in each year. Conclusion. Rates of mammography are declining, particularly in Caucasian populations. While minority women are less likely, to report having had a mammogram, this apparent racial disparity is explained by differences in education, income and insurance status.