Using the Health Belief Model to Examine Differences in Adherence to Mammography Among African-American and Caucasian Women.

In 2002, the American Cancer Society estimated that 203,500 new cases of breast cancer would be diagnosed among women in the U.S., making it the most commonly diagnosed female cancer. Despite advances in detection and treatment, the gap between breast cancer mortality rates for African-American and Caucasian women is increasing compared to previous years. Compared with Caucasian women, African-American women are 12% less likely to be diagnosed at a localized stage of the disease, 6% more likely to be diagnosed with regional metastases, and 3% more likely to be diagnosed with distant metastases. In efforts to increase the use of mammography, researchers continue to refine interventions based on theoretical frameworks, such as the health belief model. The primary aim of the present study was to use the health belief model as the theoretical basis for examining health beliefs related to screening mammography among African-American and Caucasian women. The results of the study indicate that African-American women and Caucasian women may differ with respect to health beliefs that are most influential in determining whether they obtain mammograms.