Mammography Percentages by Race and Ethnicity
If you are a woman aged 40 years or older, get a mammogram every one to two years.
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.
The graph to the right shows the percentage of women aged 40 years and older who had a mammogram in the last two years, grouped by race and ethnicity and the year when their mammogram was done.
In 2000, fewer American Indian/Alaska Native women had a mammogram in the last two years than women of any other racial or ethnic group, and non-Hispanic white women were most likely to have had a mammogram in the last two years. In 2005 (the latest year for which statistics are available), American Indian/Alaska Native women were the most likely to have had a mammogram in the last two years, and Asian women were the least likely.
One objective of Healthy People 2010 is to increase the proportion of women aged 40 years and older who have received a mammogram within the preceding two years to 70%.
Mammography Percentages by Level of Education
The percentages of mammography screening increase by level of education. Women with the most years of schooling are most likely to have had a mammogram in the last two years. In the U.S. in 2005, 52.8% of women aged 40 or over who did not graduate from high school had a mammogram in the last two years. The percentage increased to 64.9% among women who graduated from high school, and 72.7% among women who had attended college.
Mammography Percentages by Age
The percentages of mammography screening vary by age. In the U.S. in 2005, 71.8% of women aged 50 to 64 years had a mammogram in the last two years, followed by older women (63.8%) and women aged 40 to 49 years (63.5%).
*Estimates for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander are either not available or are considered unreliable.
†The group, or category, called "Hispanic" may include race categories like white, black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey in Health, United States 2007. (PDF-6.01MB) These data have a 95% confidence interval.
Where Can I Go to Get a Mammogram?
Most likely, you can get a mammogram at a clinic, hospital, or doctor's office. If you want to be screened for breast cancer, call your doctor's office. They can help you schedule an appointment. Most health insurance companies pay for mammograms.
Are you worried about the cost? The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) offers free or low-cost mammograms. To find out if you qualify, call your local program.
