The association of chronic diseases and mammography among Medicare beneficiaries living in Appalachia

Objective: This study assessed the relationship between presence and number of chronic disease and reception of mammogram in women 65 years and older, and how this relationship is influenced by primary care provider visits. Methods: A total of 3306 women diagnosed with breast cancer from 2006 to 2008 from cancer registries in four Appalachian states were analyzed. Results: Having a mammogram within the past 2 years was associated with having at least one chronic disease. The presence of a chronic disease was associated with an increased likelihood of breast cancer screening adherence but was not a strong predictor when demographic variables were added. Conclusion: This study supports the findings that women with more primary care provider visits were more likely to adhere to breast cancer screening guidelines but having several chronic diseases presents a barrier to achieving guideline-concordant mammography screening, highlighting the importance of preventive screening for patients managing chronic diseases.