Change in Breast Cancer Screening Knowledge is Associated With Change in Mammogram Intention in Mexican-Origin Women After an Educational Intervention.

PURPOSE

To determine the relationship between breast cancer screening knowledge and intent to receive a mammogram within 6 months in a sample of Mexican-origin women living in El Paso, Texas.

METHODS

A total of 489 uninsured Mexican-origin women were assigned to treatment or control and completed surveys at pre- and postintervention. Pre-post associations between breast cancer screening knowledge and intent were tested.

RESULTS

Participants were on average were 56.7 years of age and spoke primarily Spanish (92.6%). Most of the samples had not had a mammogram in 3 or more years (51.6%) and 14.6% had never had a mammogram. At baseline, the majority intended to be screened for breast cancer within the next 6 months (93.4%). At postintervention, half of the intervention group changed their 6-month intent to be screened for breast cancer from likely to unlikely. Change in intent was associated with a change in knowledge of risk of having a first child by the age of 30 and breast cancer being rare after the age of 70.

DISCUSSION

Intent to be screened for breast cancer in Mexican-origin women may be influenced by the type of knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

Change in screening knowledge may influence perceived risk that influences intention to be screened.