Factors associated with lack of mammograms and clinical breast examination by women: a population-based study in Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

This study analyzes the prevalence of mammograms and clinical breast examination according to socioeconomic, demographic, and health-related behavioral variables in women 40 years or older in Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional population-based study (N = 290). Based on multivariate analysis, factors associated with not having a mammogram in the previous two years were: age (>= 70 years), race/ethnicity (black or mixed-race), and low per capita family income. Lack of clinical breast examination in the previous year was associated with: marital status (single/widow/without partner) and low income. The Unified National Health System (SUS) performed 28.8% of reported mammograms and 38.2% of clinical breast examinations. According to the findings, lack of breast cancer screening is associated with social and racial inequity, and reduction in breast cancer mortality requires early detection of the disease, which in turn demands that health care facilities implement strategies to expand coverage of preventive practices, especially for more vulnerable social groups.24112623263