The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Seeking Cancer-Related Information and Influencing Cancer Screening Behaviors Among U.S. Adult Women Aged 40–65 Years [ID 2683457

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Social determinants of health (SDOH) influence patients’ breast health and their decision and ability to screen for breast cancer. Our study aims to provide a general overview of SDOH acting as significant predictors of mammogram completion across different timeline categories (1–5 years ago, >5 years ago, and never had a mammogram) compared to having a mammogram a year ago or less. METHODS: The data were obtained from the 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey 5 (HINTS 5) Cycle 4, which was administered from February through June 2020 to a total of 2,204 females. Multinomial logistic regression was carried out to identify SDOH acting as predictors of mammogram completion for three different timeline categories (1–5 years ago, >5 years ago, and never had a mammogram) compared to having a mammogram a year ago or less. RESULTS: The SDOH predictor variables varied as predictors of mammogram completion across the three timeline categories. For the “mammogram 1–5 years ago” category, being Black, not having a full-time job, being single, and not having health insurance were seen as significant predictors of the screening behavior. For the “mammogram >5 years ago” category, identifying as widowed and not having health insurance showed significance as predictors of breast cancer screening. For the “never had a mammogram” category, all age categories >25 years of age, identifying as Black, being single, and not having health insurance were recorded as significant predictors of mammography. Health insurance was consistently seen as a significant predictor of mammogram completion across the different timeline categories. CONCLUSION: Future interventions should consider insurance status as an important factor influencing a woman’s decision to seek breast cancer screening. However, a holistic approach integrating the diverse aspects of the SDOH will be more effective in understanding the different barriers hindering at-risk women from seeking annual mammography.