Association of time intervals in cancer screenings and older participants’ characteristics, in a U.S. nationally representative sample.
e24020 Background: Various guidelines regarding cancer screening intervals for older adults exist. They often differ based on age cut-offs. There is limited national data about factors impacting adherence to these guideline-based intervals. Using a national-representative dataset, self-reported screening rates between men and women for breast (Mammogram) or prostate (PSA) cancer were explored. The demographic and lifestyle characteristics associated with screening time intervals were also investigated. Methods: Data from the nationally representative National Social Life Health and Aging Project Wave 3 (NSHAP-W3, 2015) was used. Individuals with no history of cancer were asked: How long has it been since you last had a screening (Mammogram or PSA). Responses ranged from 1 = within the past year, 2 = between one and five years ago , 3 = more than five but less than ten years ago, 4 = ten or more years ago, 5 = never. Age groups consisted of 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, ≥80. Ordinal Logistic regression was used to study the association between screening time intervals (Mammogram or PSA) and participants’ characteristics (demographic, emotional, self-reported physical health, and physical activity). Results: Community-dwelling older adults (n = 2,320) were included (52% women, 48% men, with mean age of 66.9 years). There was a curvilinear response by age. The middle-age groups (60 thru 79) were significantly more likely to report shorter screening intervals, compared to the youngest group (50-54) and oldest group (≥80): ORs ranging from 0.30 to 0.61. No significant differences were observed between the oldest and youngest groups. Higher household income was associated with shorter time intervals (Mammogram: OR = 0.77; PSA: OR = 0.78, p &lt; 0.001). African Americans were more likely to report shorter intervals between Mammograms (OR = 0.43, p &lt; 0.001), compared to white women. More physically active men were likely to report shorter intervals (OR = 0.92, p = 0.021). Conclusions: Participants who are in their 60s or 70s, are more likely to have shorter time intervals between cancer screenings. African American women, and men performing frequent exercise are also more likely to have shorter intervals. These results emphasize the importance of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, when seeking to impact cancer screening timing.