CHANGES IN THE AGE RANGE FOR MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING ACROSS BRAZIL'S MAJOR REGIONS BETWEEN 2013 AND 2019

Abstract

Undergoing a mammogram at intervals of up to two years is a key indicator of access to women's health services. This study analyzes changes in the gap between the 50–59 and 60–69 age groups across Brazil's major regions between 2013 and 2019. It is an observational study using two cross-sectional samples from the National Health Survey, based on microdata from 8,682 women in 2013 and 15,016 in 2019. The analysis estimates weighted proportions, 95% confidence intervals, and differences, accounting for strata and primary sampling units. The national proportion of women reporting a mammogram within the last two years rose from 54.3% to 58.3%. In 2019, the estimated rate was 60.4% for the 50–59 age group and 55.5% for the 60–69 age group. The age-related gap widened by 14.9 percentage points in the South Region between the two surveys, whereas no conclusive change in this gap was observed in the other regions. In 2019, disparities were observed based on place of residence, education level, and income. The study concludes that the national improvement coexists with distinct regional age-related patterns and significant social inequalities, though it does not allow for the determination of causality or the distinction between diagnostic and screening mammograms.