Importance of physician's role highlighted in survey of women's breast screening practices.

OBJECTIVE

To describe women's breast screening knowledge, attitudes, intentions and practices.

DESIGN

Telephone survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Random population-based sample of 383 women aged 50 to 69, living in Ottawa-Carleton, and having no history of breast cancer. Participation rates were 81%.

RESULTS

Only 47% reported having had a mammogram within the two years before the survey, and 57% had received a physical breast exam within the previous year. Intentions to arrange screening were positively correlated to income, previous mammography, encouragement to have a mammogram, knowledge, knowing a person with breast cancer, an absence of negative attitudes (i.e., mammograms unnecessary), and low decisional conflict.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements in participation rates will be achieved only if women are convinced of the need for screening, and physicians encourage them to be screened.