Disparities in the Care Disruption During COVID-19 and in its Impacts on the Mental and Physical Well-Being of Cancer Survivors

Factors impacting breast cancer survivors' performance of annual follow-up mammograms: A nationally representative study

OBJECTIVE

Guided by the PRECEDE-PROCEDE model, this study explores the factors associated with completing an annual screening mammogram among breast cancer survivors (BCS).

METHODS

We used multiple cycles of survey data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) (2017-2020). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the correlates of past year mammograms among breast cancer survivors.

RESULTS

We included a sample of 909 breast cancer survivors in the study. Seventy percent of the sample reported at least one mammography screening in the prior 12 months. The more time since diagnosis, the fewer participants performed screening. Consistent with the PRECEDE-PROCEDE Model, annual screening was associated with enabling factors (having health insurance), reinforcing factors (trust in doctors, patient-centered communication), and predisposing factors (cancer-related worry and quality of care).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that thirty percent of BCS may experience barriers to receipt of follow-up mammograms. Additional research is needed to identify strategies that address demographic, enabling, reinforcing, and predisposing factors with the ultimate goal of improving access to follow-up mammography and ensuring the well-being of breast cancer survivors. Practice Implications Cancer surveillance among BCS is vital to improving health outcomes. Provider and practice-based interventions can potentially increase access and engagement with annual screening recommendations.