The relationship between four health-related quality-of-life indicators and use of mammography and Pap test screening in US women

Abstract

Purpose Limited evidence is available to explain the role of four components of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) on breast and cervical cancer screening. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between four HRQoL aspects and use of mammography and Pap test screening in US women. Methods Data were obtained from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The outcome variables were receiving mammogram <2 versus ≥2 years in women aged 50-74 years, and receiving Pap test <3 versus ≥3 years in women aged 18-64 years. Eight logistic regression models were conducted to test the role of four HRQoL aspects (general health status, physical HRQoL, mental HRQoL, and activity limitation) on the two screening variables, after adjusting for covariates. Statistical analysis accounted for the complex sampling design of the BRFSS and the a priori alpha error was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results Among respondents, approximately 74% and 78% of the women received mammography and Pap test, respectively. Three HRQoL aspects (general health status, physical HRQoL, and activity limitation) were significantly associated with mammography use (all p-values<0.05), whereas two HRQoL aspects (general health status and physical HRQoL) were significantly associated with Pap test (p-values≤0.05). All significant relationships demonstrated higher cancer screening rates among individuals with better HRQoL. Conclusions HRQoL is an important factor associated with use of mammography and Pap test. Future studies should explore the mechanisms associated with an individual's HRQoL and use HRQoL assessment as an avenue to influence adherence to use of mammography and Pap tests.

Why Do Some People Choose Opportunistic Rather Than Organized Cancer Screening? The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010-2012

“…Ex-smokers were more likely than current smokers to be screened by both types of screening programs. Non-smokers were more likely than current smokers to participate in the organized screening program, which is in accordance with previous results regarding breast and cervical cancer screening among women in the United States [14]. We also found that light drinkers were more likely to be screened by both opportunistic and organized screening programs than non-drinkers, and the OR for opportunistic screening was higher than that for organized screening (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.82 for opportunistic screening vs. OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.64 for organized screening).…”

“…Previous studies have noted that individuals who engaged in physical activity or exercise were more likely to be screened for cancer [14]. Interestingly, we found no relationship between moderate physical activity more than 4 days per week and participating in screening.…”

Relationship of attitudes toward uncertainty and preventive health behaviors with breast cancer screening participation

“…Several studies have demonstrated that frequent visits to medical doctors could increase opportunities to recommend breast cancer screening participation or promote awareness of cancer control [20,28,29], where those women who received medical treatment tended to undergo screening. The association between higher SRH and participation in breast cancer screening supports the ndings of previous research [55,56]. Individuals perceived as being in poorer physical health are less likely to participate in health checkups or screenings to avoid knowing the cause of their physical health status [57].…”

Relationship of attitudes toward uncertainty and preventive health behaviors with breast cancer screening participation

“…where those women who received medical treatment tended to undergo screening. The association between higher SRH and participation in breast cancer screening supports the ndings of previous research [55,56]. Individuals perceived as being in poorer physical health are less likely to participate in health checkups or screenings to avoid knowing the cause of their physical health status [57].…”