Breast cancer screening in the United States and Canada, 1994: socioeconomic gradients persist.

Abstract

This study compared rates of annual mammography screening across socioeconomic status between the United States and Canada in 1994. Population-based cross-sectional surveys were used to compare the rates. Screening rates were higher in the United States than in Canada for women aged 50 to 69 years (47.3% vs 38.8%; P < .01). Women with higher education and with higher incomes were more likely to receive screening in both countries, with no significant differences between countries. For women aged 50 to 69 years, screening rates in Canada have substantially increased relative to those in the United States. However, disparities in screening across levels of socioeconomic status persist in both countries.