Factors for success in breast cancer screening

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Issue Date
2016-05
Embargo End Date
Authors
Miller, Crystal A.
Advisor
Hertzog, Jodie
Citation
Abstract

One of the Healthy People 2020 initiatives within the U.S. is to increase the proportion of women who receive breast cancer screenings based on the most recent medical guidelines (c-17). Despite highly recognizable campaigns that encourage women to obtain routine breast cancer screenings, women today are faced with changing guidelines. Depending on of which reputable source is followed (the American Cancer Society, U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), the recommended age to begin testing and timeframe to retest varies and seems to be evolving. In order to explore potential structural factors that may influence women’s adherence to recommendations for preventative screening, this study utilizes secondary data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Findings indicate that several social determinants of health (age, income, and having health insurance) operate similarly among Midwest and non-Midwest women. Most importantly, regardless of region of residence, access to health insurance greatly increases the odds of participation in routine screening. Policy implications and future research are addressed.

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Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Sociology
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