Pattern Of Mammography Test Use Among Women In Nablus/Palestine : A Cross Sectional Study

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, which can be early detected by mammogram test (an x ray of the breast). Screening mammography is one of the best techniques that can find majority of breast cancer cases in women over 50. The main objective of this study is to illustrate the different socio-demographic patterns of use and their relationship to mammography test results in Nablus district. Methods: This is a cross sectional study that included all women from Nablus area who underwent mammography test in the Palestinian Family Planning & Protection Association center (PFPPA) during 2007. Socio-demographic data (age, marital status, parity, residence, breastfeeding, education level and source of referral) from 556 files of women were collected, in addition to the mammography test result whether malignant or not. Data then were analyzed applying descriptive studies, and chi square test. Results: most of the study sample were of age interval (35-47) years old, married, breastfed, with parity interval 3-5, highly educated, inhabiting the city, and were self-referred. There was a significant statistical association between age, parity and mammography test results (p<0.05), however there was no significant statistical relationship for all other variables. Profile of self-referred women was of no big difference when compared to all study sample variables. Conclusion: Awareness towards doing mammography in Nablus/Palestine seems to be good; however the most vulnerable group is still not doing it frequently. Older women, less educated, single, and women from refugee camps need to be reached out to increase their awareness to go for screening mammography.