Three-year prospective adherence to three breast cancer screening modalities.

Abstract

This study prospectively examined rates of adherence to mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE), and breast self-examination (BSE) in a cohort of women over 3 years to determine whether participation in BSE influenced participation in the other two screening modalities. Women ages 51 and older (n = 450) who attended a small group educational session to learn BSE and to hear about CBE and mammography guidelines were assessed annually by telephone for 3 consecutive years to determine their subsequent breast cancer screening behavior. Annual CBE and mammography screening are highly positively associated. Regular performance of BSE has a modest positive association with both CBE and mammography adherence over time. Women who perform BSE regularly over time may be more likely to adhere to the other breast cancer screening guidelines.