Population-based mammography screening attendance in Sweden 2017–2018: A cross-sectional register study to assess the impact of sociodemographic factors

• Published in: Breast (Edinburgh) 2021-10, Vol.59, p.16-26
• Main Authors: Lagerlund, Magdalena, Åkesson, Anna, Zackrisson, Sophia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast cancer screening; Cancer and Oncology; Cancer och onkologi; Clinical Medicine; Klinisk medicin; Mammography; Medical and Health Sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Original; Socioeconomic aspects of health; Women's health
• ISSN: 0960-9776; 1532-3080
• DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2021.05.011

Sweden has a population-based mammography screening programme for women aged 40–74. The objective of this study was to examine the association between mammography screening attendance and sociodemographic factors in 15 of Sweden's 21 health care regions. Register-based information was collected on all mammography screening invitations and attendance during 2017 and 2018, and linked to individual-level sociodemographic data from Statistics Sweden. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for attendance were computed by sociodemographic factor. The study sample included 1.5 million women, aged 40–75, with an overall screening attendance of 81.3%. The lowest odds of attending were found for women living without a partner (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.52–0.53), low-income women (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.56–0.57), and non-Nordic women born in Europe (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.59–0.61). Other groups with lower odds of attending were women whose main source of income was social assistance or benefits (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.62–0.63), those not owning their home (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.66–0.67), and those with low level of education (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.71–0.73). Having multiple of these sociodemographic characteristics further lowered the odds of attending. Although overall mammography screening attendance in Sweden is high, sociodemographic inequalities exist, and efforts should be made to address these. Particular attention should be given to low-income women who live without a partner. •Mammography screening attendance in Sweden was 81% in 2017–2018.•Sociodemographic inequalities were found for screening attendance.•Having multiple low attendance risk factors further decreased the odds of attending.•Lowest attendance among low-income women who live without a partner.