Mammography screening among women 40-49 years old, before and after USPSTF guideline changes.

Abstract

113 Background: The age at which to start breast cancer screening is controversial. The US Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine mammography screening in women 40-49 years old in November 2009 (the 2002 report had recommended screening), and instead suggested that women consult their physicians. We examined the frequency of screening among 40-49yo, and characteristics of the screened. Methods: We examined mammography screening among 85,650 women who were continuously enrolled in a prepaid integrated delivery system and who were between 40-45yo in 2006. We excluded women with any cancer diagnosis (2005-2009). Using logistic regression, we examined the association between screening in 2010 and several traits, e.g., mammogram cost-sharing, screening behavior before 2010, comorbidity score, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood socio-economic status indictors. In 2010, 75% of women had free mammograms; for the others, the median cost-sharing amount was $10. Results: Nearly all subjects (92%) received at least one mammogram between 2006-10: 14% received one; 37% received two; 33% received three; 6% received four; and 1% received 5+ mammograms. The unadjusted percent screened during each year increased slightly from 2006-2009 (38% to 47%) before dropping in 2010 (45%). Among women screened before the guideline changes, 47% received a mammogram in 2010. After adjustment, subjects who had any cost-sharing (OR=0.96 vs. free screening, 95%CI: 0.93-0.99) or who lived in lower SES neighborhoods (OR=0.94 vs. higher SES, 95%CI: 0.90-0.97) were less likely to receive a screening mammogram in 2010. Subjects with frequent earlier screening (e.g., OR=4.44 for four mammograms vs. none, 95%CI:3.99-4.94) and who were Asian (OR=1.05 vs. White, 95%CI: 1.01-1.09) were more likely to receive a 2010 mammogram; Black and Hispanic subjects had similar odds as Whites. Conclusions: In this integrated system, mammography screening among women 40-49 years old decreased slightly after the 2009 USPSTF recommendation against routine screening. Better alignment of insurance benefits with screening guidelines could improve adherence with recommendations.