The association between physical activity and mammography screening utilization: a longitudinal analysis, health retirement study (2004-2016).

PURPOSE

Physical inactivity is a well-known factor associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. However, there is a disparity in physical activity levels among women in the United States. These disparities are associated with differences in women’s mammography screening behaviors, which may contribute to disparities in breast cancer incidence and outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the association between physical activity and the utilization of mammography screening. It also assesses whether this association is modified by women’s race/ethnicity and age.

METHODS

This is a longitudinal study that used the Health and Retirement Study data from 2004 to 2016. A total of 18,157 women aged 40 years and older were included. The 2004 wave was used as the baseline, with follow-up conducted in 2008, 2012, and 2016 (wave 9, 11, and 13 respectively). Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used, and odds ratios were reported.

RESULTS

The study found a significant positive association between physical activity and mammography utilization. After adjusting for confounding variables, women who were physically active had 1.31 times the odds of undergoing mammography screening compared to those who were inactive (95% CI: 1.13–1.51,  < 0.001). The association between physical activity and mammography screening utilization was weaker among Hispanic women.

CONCLUSION

Interventions encouraging physical activity targeting racial/ethnic minorities may contribute to increasing mammography screening utilization and reducing breast cancer disparity.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-23833-7.