open access
The sociodemographic profile of women participating in mammography screening in Lower Silesia
Affiliations- Lower Silesian Oncology Center in Wrocław, Poland
open access
Abstract
Introduction. Female breast cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide. An important element of cancer control involves population-based screening, which aims to reduce related mortality. Screening programs can only serve their purpose if they are long-term and available on a mass scale; accordingly, they are deemed effective as long as they cover at least 70% of the target population. Alarmingly, the coverage of breast cancer screening in Poland is markedly lower. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of selected sociodemographic factors on the participation of women in mammography screening.
Material and methods. The study included a population of Lower Silesian women aged 50 to 69, who participated in mammography screening, and analyzed a total of 32,626 questionnaires collected by means of a diagnostic survey between January 3, 2007 and December 30, 2011. Examined sociodemographic factors included the place of residence, age, educational level, and occupational status.
Results. The largest group of screening participants comprised women aged 55 to 59 (30%), from Wrocław and the neighboring districts, with at least secondary education (74%), mostly old-age and disability pensioners (55%).
Conclusions. Place of residence, age, education and occupation have a significant impact on the participation of Lower Silesian women in mammography screening. Age and disability pensioners aged 55–59 with at least secondary education are more likely to participate.
Abstract
Introduction. Female breast cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide. An important element of cancer control involves population-based screening, which aims to reduce related mortality. Screening programs can only serve their purpose if they are long-term and available on a mass scale; accordingly, they are deemed effective as long as they cover at least 70% of the target population. Alarmingly, the coverage of breast cancer screening in Poland is markedly lower. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of selected sociodemographic factors on the participation of women in mammography screening.
Material and methods. The study included a population of Lower Silesian women aged 50 to 69, who participated in mammography screening, and analyzed a total of 32,626 questionnaires collected by means of a diagnostic survey between January 3, 2007 and December 30, 2011. Examined sociodemographic factors included the place of residence, age, educational level, and occupational status.
Results. The largest group of screening participants comprised women aged 55 to 59 (30%), from Wrocław and the neighboring districts, with at least secondary education (74%), mostly old-age and disability pensioners (55%).
Conclusions. Place of residence, age, education and occupation have a significant impact on the participation of Lower Silesian women in mammography screening. Age and disability pensioners aged 55–59 with at least secondary education are more likely to participate.
Keywords
breast cancer, mammography screening, prevention
About this articleTitle
The sociodemographic profile of women participating in mammography screening in Lower Silesia
Journal
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology
Issue
Article type
Research paper (original)
Pages
89-95
Published online
2017-10-16
Page views
597
Article views/downloads
778
DOI
Bibliographic record
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2017;67(2):89-95.
Keywords
breast cancer
mammography screening
prevention
Authors
Elżbieta Garwacka-Czachor
Adam Maciejczyk
Marek Bębenek