Influence of number of children on cancer screening among adults in the United States

Financial Literacy, Financial Education, and Cancer Screening Behavior: Evidence from Japan

Although Japan has a well-established cancer screening program and has implemented several initiatives to increase screening rates, levels of cancer screening can be further improved. Based on a rational decision-making framework, this study examines the role of financial literacy and financial education, which measure peoples' knowledge about investment and savings, respectively, in improving cancer screening rates in Japan. The main data were extracted from Osaka University's Preference Parameters Study for 2011. The dependent variable was the number of cancer screenings while the two main independent variables were financial literacy and financial education. Ordered probit regression models were run to test the association between financial literacy, financial education, and the number of cancer screenings. The results showed a positive relationship between financial education and cancer screening behavior in Japan, while no significant association was observed between financial literacy and screening behavior. Furthermore, according to findings stratified by three age groups, the positive association between financial education and cancer screening behavior was particularly evident in 50- to 59-year-olds, while the effects of other demographic, socioeconomic, and risky health behavior variables were not consistent. It is imperative that implementation of more financial education programs is an effective intervention to encourage cancer screening behavior in Japanese populations.

Factors associated with mammography use: A side-by-side comparison of results from two national surveys

BACKGROUND

Mammography use is affected by multiple factors that may change as public health interventions are implemented. We examined two nationally representative, population-based surveys to seek consensus and identify inconsistencies in factors associated with mammography use in the entirety of the US population, and by black and white subgroups.

METHODS

Self-reported mammography use in the past year was extracted for 12 639 and 169 116 women aged 40-74 years from the 2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), respectively. We applied a random forest algorithm to identify the risk factors of mammography use and used a subset of them in multivariable survey logistic regressions to examine their associations with mammography use, reporting predictive margins and effect sizes.

RESULTS

The weighted prevalence of past year mammography use was comparable across surveys: 54.31% overall, 54.50% in white, and 61.57% in black in NHIS and 53.24% overall, 56.97% in white, and 62.11% in black in BRFSS. Overall, mammography use was positively associated with black race, older age, higher income, and having health insurance, while negatively associated with having three or more children at home and residing in the Western region of the US. Overweight and moderate obesity were significantly associated with increased mammography use among black women (NHIS), while severe obesity was significantly associated with decreased mammography use among white women (BRFSS).

CONCLUSION

We found higher mammography use among black women than white women, a change in the historical trend. We also identified high parity as a risk factor for mammography use, which suggests a potential subpopulation to target with interventions aimed at increasing mammography use.

Changes in colorectal cancer screening intention among people aged 18-49 in the United States

BACKGROUND

To determine whether exposure to a peer-led intervention focused on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, physical activity, and multi-vitamin intake can lead to increased intentions to be screened for CRC once age eligible among adults under the age of 50.

METHODS

Participants were residents of low-income housing sites, and CRC screening intentions were assessed at baseline and at follow-up (approximately 2 years later) to determine changes in screening intentions and factors associated with changes in intentions.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 692) were 78.4% female, 42.6% Hispanic and 50.8% black. At follow-up, 51% maintained their intention to be screened and 14.6% newly intended to get screened. Individuals newly intending to get screened were more likely to have participated in the intervention, be older, male, and born in Puerto Rico or the United States compared to those who maintained their intention not to get screened (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Exposure to CRC prevention messages before the age of 50 can increase screening intentions among individuals who did not initially intend to get screened. Peer-led interventions to promote CRC screening should include individual less than 50 years of age, as this may contribute to increased screening at the recommended age threshold.