Impacting Breast Cancer Screening in Rural Arizona: A Patient-Centered Approach

Breast cancer is a highly complex disease process and is the second leading cause of death in American Indian/Alaskan Native women. Mammography is the gold standard for breast cancer screening, however current mammogram rates of an organization that primarily serves American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) women are below the national average. AI/AN women suffer from high mortality rate related to breast cancer and they also experience low breast screening rates. This improvement project's aim was to determine if same-day mammogram access would narrow this gap. The project design used a patient-centered approach, engaging the patient at their regular primary care provider appointment. If women were due or overdue for a mammogram and were asked if they would like to have a mammogram completed the same day as their appointment. While only one person opted for the same day mammogram, 31 women agreed to make a future mammogram appointment and 18 women completed their mammogram, which was clinically significant. Recommendations made by a women’s primary care provider essentially influenced their screening behavior. Further discussion should focus on the importance of fostering a strong primary care provider-patient relationship to address the gap that currently exists with AI/AN women and breast cancer screening.