"It's something I'll do until I die": A qualitative examination into why older women in the U.S. continue screening mammography.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Professional guidelines in the U.S. do not recommend routine screening mammography for women ≥75 years with limited life expectancy and/or poor health. Yet, routine mammography remains widely used in older women. We examined older women's experiences, beliefs, and opinions about screening mammography in relation to aging and health.

Methods

We performed thematic analysis of transcribed semi-structured interviews with 19 women who had a recent screening visit at a mammography clinic in New York City (average age: 75 years, 63% Hispanic, 53% ≤high school education).

Results

Three main themes emerged: (1) older women typically perceive mammograms as a positive, beneficial, and routine component of care; (2) participation in routine mammography is reinforced by

SUBMITTER: Brotzman LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9582674 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature