Table 1

Adherence to Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines by Age (N = 123)

Age Groups

20–39 years

40–49 years

>=50 years

Unspecified Age

Screening

Total N = 59

Total N = 27

Total N = 24

Total N = 13

Behaviors

N (%)

N (%)

N (%)

N (%)

Monthly self

32.2% (19)

22.2% (6)

29.2% (7)

46.2% (6)

breast exam

Annual Clinical

35.6% (21)

55.6% (15)

41.7% (10)

46.2% (6)

breast exam

Annual

16.9% (10)

14.8% (4)

29.2% (7)

23.1% (3)

Mammogram

^*American Cancer Society guidelines in effect at the time of the study were: 1.) Beginning at age 20, monthly breast self examination and clinical breast exam every three years is recommended. 2.) Beginning at age 40, clinical breast exam is recommended annually plus mammography every one or two years. 3.) Beginning at age 50, annual mammogram is recommended along with continuation of monthly breast self exams and annual clinical breast exams.

Sadler et al. BMC Public Health 2001 1:7   doi:10.1186/1471-2458-1-7