FACTORS AFFECTING THE FIRST MAMMOGRAPHY AGE

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of our study is to determine first mammography age and factors affecting the first mammography age in women referred to our hospital for mammography.Materials and Methods: Three hundred women referred to mammography unit of our hospital between April and July 2008,mammography with for any reason were included into our study. After obtaining informed concept a questionnaire consisting of 22 questions and including socio-demographic characteristics, first mammography age, factors affecting first mammography age, reasons for first mammography and for not getting mammography previously was applied to all participants.Results:. The mean age of the participants was 48.76 ± 7.73 (29-82) years. 56.7% of the participants had the first mammography between 40-49 years of age, 29.3% at age 50 and over and 14% before 40 years of age. It was determined that first mammography age of women was related with education, working status, income level, where they live, general health status, having benign breast disease, knowledge about breast cancer and number of relatives who got mammography. The reasons for not having mammography previously were 25.8% no symptom of breast disease, 25.8% not know that she would get mammography, 14.6% not care, 8.6% cancer fear, 7.9% thought to be young for mammography, 6.7% because of economical reasons.Discussion: To inform women particularly by health care stuff about breast cancer and raise awareness of them regarding to breast self examination, regular clinic examination and mammography screening, have great importance for good prognosis of breast cancer by early diagnosis.

Keywords

• mammography
• age
• breast cancer