Dickinson-Iron County Critical Health Indicators

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Mammography                                                      

What Is It?

Mammography is an examination of the breast by x-rays in order to detect tumors before they can be detected by other means. Early detection is crucial to increase the survival rate for breast cancer. Annual mammography accompanied by a clinical breast examination by a health care provider is the recommended screening regimen for breast cancer. Mammography has been proven to reduce breast cancer mortality when used in a screening program.

How are Dickinson and Iron Counties doing?

In 2001, 292 women were screened, with one case of breast cancer, and one case of cervical cancer discovered. Since 1999, the Health Department no longer screens women over the age of 65. Medicare provides coverage for women over 65 to receive screening services from their private physician. Through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program of DIDHD, nearly 98 percent of the women who are screened follow through with the recommended mammogram.



How is the State of Michigan doing?

Data are collected for adult Michigan women on whether they have ever had a mammogram, time since last mammogram, and reason for last mammogram. This information is obtained from the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

The percentage of women age 50 and older who reported having had a yearly screening mammogram increased from 53 percent in 1991 to 63 percent in 1997. Typically, the year-to-year change in this indicator is small. However, between 1994 and 1995 the percentage of women 50 and older who reported a mammography screening improved by nearly 10 percentage points.

How do Dickinson and Iron Counties compare with Michigan and other states?

Data regarding the percentage of women age 50 and older in Dickinson-Iron County who report a yearly screening mammogram is not available. Compared with other states participating in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Michigan ranked fourth in the nation for women aged 40 and older reporting ever having had a mammogram in 1997. Michigan was also above the median for women age 50 and older having had a mammogram within the last two years. Direct comparisons between Michigan and other states or with the nation as a whole are not available for the percentage of women age 50 and older having yearly screening mammograms.

How are different populations affected?

In 1997, Michigan women aged 50-64 were more likely (68.1%) to have had a mammography screening in the past year than women aged 65 and older (58.4%).

Higher levels of education or household income were associated with increased prevalence of mammography screening. Individuals from households in the lowest income category or with the lowest education levels have the lowest rates of mammography screening.

What other information is important to know?

The estimated incidence rate of breast cancer for all women in the U.S. has increased 11.1 percent between 1985 and 1995. A meta-analysis conclusively shows a 25 to 30 percent reduction in breast cancer mortality with annual mammography screening after age 50.

The American Cancer Society recommendation for women aged 40-49 changed in 1997 to a yearly screening as opposed to a mammography screening every two years. For women over 49, the recommendation remains mammography screening every year. It is clear that it is important for residents to have a mammogram, as the average annual county death rate of 28.8 per 100,000 for Breast Cancer is above the national average of 24 per 100,000 for the female population. Early detection is one of the key factors in preventing breast cancer deaths.

What is the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department doing to affect this indicator?

The following link lists the Dickinson-Iron County breast cancer incidence by stage and diagnosis from 1985 through 1998. This table shows that more breast cancers are being discovered earlier, thus improving survival rates. To view Dickinson-Iron County specific information click on the link then select Breast for staging and diagnosis, then view by county and select our county. www.mdch.state.mi.us/PHA/OSR/chi/Cancer/frame.html

The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department is actively working to increase the use of mammography screening along with other preventive techniques. We have groups of physicians who participate with the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program and three mammogram facilities available to the women that are served. In 2001, the Dickinson-Iron District Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program served nearly 300 low-income women. One breast cancer was diagnosed and numerous diagnostic procedures were performed to rule out breast cancer. Since the program began in 1992, 3,746 mammograms have been completed with 21 cases of breast cancer and 5 cases of cervical cancer discovered.

Dickinson and Iron Counties continues to promote Breast and Cervical Cancer screening, including mammography, to all appropriate aged women, but actually provide the service of physical exam, pap and mammography to lower income women between the ages of 40 to 65.