Breast and cervical cancer screening among Mississippi delta women

The purpose of the study was to determine breast and cervical cancer screening among women living in the Mississippi Delta region. Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 1999-2000, we determined the prevalence of mammography (women 40 years and older, n = 6,028) and Pap testing (women 18 years and older, n = 6,502) within the past 2 or 3 years, respectively. We examined predictors of testing and compared results with those for women living elsewhere in the United States. Among Delta women, 69.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 67.9% to 70.9%) had a mammogram and 85.5% (95% CI 84.3% to 86.6%) a Pap test. Mammography prevalence was lower among black and white Delta women than among black and white women elsewhere. Pap testing was lower among older (65 years and older) Delta women or women who did not visit a doctor within the past year than among their counterparts elsewhere. Additional interventions are needed to meet the goals of Healthy People 2010 for all women.