Reaching Underserved Women with Mammography: 15 month experience with a Mobile Prevention Unit and Prevention Program

Abstract

Abstract Objective: There is much debate regarding the efficacy of mammography screening in women <50. No cost and low cost service providers may be required to target screening to the population at highest risk in order to maximize utility of resources. We sought to describe outcomes of women >40 undergoing mammography screening in underserved areas through a mobile unit and prevention program affiliated with a large network cancer program in Louisville, Kentucky. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of women undergoing mammography during the period 3/08-6/09. Locations determined to be high risk by GIS analysis, income and cancer incidence. Analyses included: descriptive analyses, calculation of odds ratios and confidence intervals and regression analyses. Results: Of the 1702 women, 735 (43%) were white, 884 (52%) were African American, 54 (3%) other and 236 (14%) Hispanic/Latina. The mean age was 54 (std.dev. 9.4). Twenty-eight percent of the women (471/1702) had either never had a mammogram or not had one in 5 years. Fifty-one percent were uninsured. Of the 1702 women, 662(39%) were between the ages of 40-49 (Group A) and 1040 (61%) were >49 (Group B). The majority of women resided in high risk areas (74% Group A, 51% Group B). Twelve percent (206/1702) of the mammograms were abnormal and required follow up. Women in Group A were 1.4 times more likely than women in Group B to have a screening mammogram classified as abnormal (OR 1.4 95% CI 1.05-1.88). Four women were diagnosed with cancer in group A (0.6%) and 9 in group B (0.8%), P = ns. The median age of women with cancer was 52, mean = 58, range 42-83, (std. dev. 12.5). The overall follow up rate was 92%. All women with cancer received treatment. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated women of African American race and women who had never been screened were more likely to have abnormal results (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.03 respectively). Conclusion: Our targeted approach of community based screening was successful in identifying a subpopulation of women who are not regularly screened and are at risk for abnormal screening mammograms and breast cancer. Further studies are needed to determine if recommendations for screening should be based on factors other than age.