Investigation into factors that promote adherence to mammography screening program

The aim of the present research was to investigate the importance of different factors in promoting women's adherence to mammography screening programmes. The research was conducted during a mammography screening programme of the Emilia-Romagna region addressed to all women aged 50-69 years. The programme was designed to maximize women's participation by increasing their knowledge of the benefits of breast screening (invitation letter and information campaign) and by reducing barriers (e.g. free test). The research was conducted on a sample of 200 women who adhered to the programme, 65 of whom never had a mammogram in the past, and on a sample of 95 women who did not adhere to the programme, 42 of whom never had a mammogram and 53 of whom had mammograms privately. A semi-structured interview on demographic variables (e.g. age and marital status), an evaluation of mastery and self-esteem and an evaluation of the influence of the different information channels used during the information campaign were asked to participants. Significant differences among groups were found as regards to age, marital status and education and as regards to objective and subjective vulnerability to breast cancer. Among the information channels, the invitation letter undersigned by the family physician had the most influence.