Breast cancer screening. First Nations communities in New Brunswick.

OBJECTIVE To determine use of breast cancer screening and barriers to screening among women in First Nations communities (FNCs).

DESIGN Structured, administered survey.

SETTING Five FNCs in New Brunswick.

PARTICIPANTS One hundred thirty-three (96%) of 138 eligible women between the ages of 50 and 69 years.

INTERVENTIONS After project objectives, methods, and expected outcomes were discussed with community health representatives, we administered a 32-item questionnaire on many aspects of breast cancer screening.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rate of use of mammography and other breast cancer screening methods, and barriers to screening.

RESULTS Some 65% of participants had had mammography screening within the previous 2 years. Having mammography at recommended intervals and clinical breast examinations (CBEs) yearly were significantly associated with having had a physician recommend the procedures (P < .001). A family history of breast cancer increased the odds of having a mammogram 2.6-fold (P < .05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03 to 6.54). Rates of screening differed sharply by whether a family physician was physically practising in the community or not (P < .05, odds ratio 2.68, 95% CI 1.14 to 6.29).

CONCLUSION Women in FNCs in one health region in New Brunswick have mammography with the same frequency as off-reserve women. A family physician practising part time in the FNCs was instrumental in encouraging women to participate in breast cancer screening.