Family health strategy and screening for breast cancer

Abstract

To identify actions of breast cancer screening held at the Family Health Strategy in Aracruz/ES and examine the relationship between the dependent variable mammography and number of mammograms performed) and independent ones (age, education, race/color and social class). Crosssectional study, quantitative, carried out at Family Study Units in Aracruz/ES. Data collection was done through the interview technique recorded on proper form. Sample consisted of 459 women aged over 35 years old. The significance level was 5%; the SPSS - Statistical Package 14.0, and the chisquare test was used to assess the relationship between variables. 55.8% of women have mammography performed, 66.0% made their first examination until 49 years old, 70.0% have had clinical breast examination during gynecological examination and 65.0% received guidance on cancer breast. Mammography was more prevalent between the ages 50-59 (76.0%), Caucasian (71.4%); social class A/B (84.4%) and no statistical significance between schooling and completion of mammography (p = 0.775). According to the number of mammograms performed, this number was the largest one at social classes A/B and higher education (p <0.01). These findings indicate the existence of significant socio economic inequalities and racial groups in access to screening practices, reinforcing the need for interventions that consider such variables as a way to promote equity.