BACKGROUND: Mammography screening is a method for reducing breast cancer mortality in women over 40 years old . A participation rate of at least 70% is a prerequisite for screening programs. This study aimed at determining the participation rate of women in breast cancer screening in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population in this prospective research consisted of 35 to 69 years old women in the villages and towns Kerman District, in 2013. The data were collected by a well-validated risk assessment questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed with the help of health workers and technicians in the health centers, who were trained on breast cancer screening program. RESULTS: As a whole, 19,651 women were invited to complete the questionnaire, of whom 15,794 women (80.37%) completed it. In the urban region, of 3150 eligible women 2728 women (86.60%) participated in the study. The acceptance rates for mammography in rural and urban regions were 34.95% and 8.75%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Finally, 3.8% and 16.34% of 35 to 69 years old women in the urban regions were mammographed, respectively. CONCLUSION: The low participation of eligible women in breast cancer screening program alerts us against including the program in the health insurance package.
BACKGROUND: Mammography screening is a method for reducing breast cancer mortality in women over 40 years old . A participation rate of at least 70% is a prerequisite for screening programs. This study aimed at determining the participation rate of women in breast cancer screening in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population in this prospective research consisted of 35 to 69 years old women in the villages and towns Kerman District, in 2013. The data were collected by a well-validated risk assessment questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed with the help of health workers and technicians in the health centers, who were trained on breast cancer screening program. RESULTS: As a whole, 19,651 women were invited to complete the questionnaire, of whom 15,794 women (80.37%) completed it. In the urban region, of 3150 eligible women 2728 women (86.60%) participated in the study. The acceptance rates for mammography in rural and urban regions were 34.95% and 8.75%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Finally, 3.8% and 16.34% of 35 to 69 years old women in the urban regions were mammographed, respectively. CONCLUSION: The low participation of eligible women in breast cancer screening program alerts us against including the program in the health insurance package.