Background: The screening mammography is the most highly effective procedure for early breast cancer detection. This study is aimed at ascertaining the differences in the factors related to Spanish women 40-70 years of age having had mammograms in 1994 and 2000 and among those having had at least one mammogram within the two years prior.
Method: Comparison of the results of two surveys conducted in 1994 and 2000, each on samples of women representative of Spanish women 40-70 years of age (3,218 in 1994 and 2,409 in 2000). An analysis was made of sociodemographic, sociosanitary and the women's attitude and awareness-related variables.
Results: Statistically significant differences were found between 1994 and 2000, the intention of having a mammogram in the future (96% in 2000 vs. 79% in 1994) (p<0.0001). A total of 59% of the 51-65 age group had a mammogram in 2000, as compared to the 50% who had one in 1994.
Conclusions: The profile of Spanish women has undergone a change from 1994 to 2000, although those women who had had a mammogram were of similar sociodemographic and sociosanitary characteristics. However, the screening is being done to a greater extent on the age 51-65 age group in 2000, and the women are showing more positive attitudes toward having a mammogram.