Surveillance Mammography Behaviors in Black and White Breast Cancer Survivors: Behavioral Risk Factors and Surveillance System, 2016

BACKGROUND: Surveillance mammography is recommended annually for early detection of disease relapse among breast cancer survivors; yet Black women have poorer national rates of surveillance mammography compared to White women.

Factors that influence racial disparities in surveillance mammography rates are poorly understood.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the contribution of health care access, socioeconomic status, and perceived health status on adherence to surveillance mammography among breast cancer survivors.

METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey among Black and White women ≥ 18 years, who reported a breast cancer diagnosis and completed breast surgery and adjuvant treatment from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System National Survey (BRFSS).

Bivariate associations (chi-squared, t-test) for independent variables (e.g., health insurance, marital status) were analyzed with adherence to nationally recommended surveillance guidelines defined as two levels: adherent (received a mammogram in the last 12 months), vs. non- adherent (“received a mammogram in the last 2–5 years, 5 or more years or unsure).

Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between study variables with adherence, while adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS: Of 963 breast cancer survivors, 91.7% were White women with an average age of 65.

71.7% reported a surveillance mammogram in the last 12 months, while 28.2% did not.

Diagnosed > 5 years (p < 0.001); not having a routine checkup visit within 12 months (p = 0.045); and not seeing a doctor when needed due to cost (p = 0.026), were significantly related to survivor’s non-adherence to surveillance mammography guidelines.

A significant interaction was found between race and residential area (p < 0.001).

Compared to White women, Black women living in metropolitan/suburban residential areas were more likely to receive surveillance guidelines (OR:3.77;95% CI: 1.32–10.81); however Black women living in non-metropolitan areas were less likely to receive a surveillance mammogram compared to White women living in non-metropolitan areas (OR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.00–0.50).

CONCLUSION: Findings from our study further explain the impact of socioeconomic disparities on racial differences in the use of surveillance mammography among breast cancer survivors.

Black women living in non-metropolitan counties are an important subgroup for future research and screening and navigation interventions.