The use of breast screening services in NSW: Are we moving towards greater equity? [Draft - not for quotation or citation], CHERE Working Paper 2007/7

Introduction: Since 1991 State and Federal Governments, under the auspices of BreastScreen Australia, have been providing mammography services free at the point of delivery to women aged 40 and over. One of the stated aims of the program is to provide equitable access to all women in the target group. Methods: Data on self-reported utilisation of breast screening services came from the 1997/98 and 2002/04 NSW Health Surveys. Probit regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between income and breast screening behaviour of women in NSW aged 50 to 69. Results: The results for 2002 and 2004 show that income has a positive and significant impact on the likelihood that a woman chooses to screen for breast cancer at regular intervals. The role of income was consistent across most regions. Women born overseas have a lower likelihood of screening regularly. Results from the pooled dataset show that the income gradient appears to be steeper in 2002/04 compared to 1997/98. Conclusions: These results indicate that the current program has not ensured equitable take-up of mammography services and that further research and investment is needed to meet program objectives.