Uptake of breast cancer screening in older women

Abstract

Objectives: To determine breast screening uptake in older women and to ascertain from previous non-attenders whether they would accept screening if invited. Design: A random sample of older women randomly selected from three Family Health Service Authorities were interviewed in their homes. Participants: 1604 women aged 65 years and over living at home, a response rate of 94%. Results: 120 respondents (8%) had previously been screened. Rates were higher among those who were married, separated or divorced than those who were single (P<0.01). Of those who had not previously been screened, 742 (50%) reported that they would attend if invited. Aged influenced potential attendance: 67% of those aged 65-69 would accept compared with 27% of those aged 80 and over (P<0.0001). Future attenders were significantly more likely to belong to the upper social class and to be currently married, and were significantly less likely to be disabled or depressed, but more likely to be anxious (P<0.05). Conclusions: It is unjustifiable to exclude women over 65 from breast screening on the basis of assumed low uptake rates. Certain categories of women-such as those who were physically disabled, depressed, single or from lower social classes-could be targeted to achieve maximum uptake rates.