Breast cancer knowledge and barriers to mammography in a low-income managed care population.

Background: Low-income women experience multiple barriers to screening mammography. This study explored cancer knowledge as a point of intervention to reduce overall barriers.

Methods: A survey of breast cancer knowledge and barriers was obtained from 173 low-income female residents of Middle Tennessee, > or =40 years, enrolled in the state managed care organization and nonadherent to mammography. Multiple regression models examined the effect of breast cancer knowledge on mammography screening barriers.

Results: Comprehensive breast cancer knowledge, not mere screening awareness, was the strongest contributor towards lower barrier scores.

Conclusions: Strategies to overcome mammography barriers should include comprehensive breast cancer education.