Those who responded in the affirmative were
asked to provide the year of the most recent screening examination,as well as the reason for it (routine screening vs symptom).These items were taken from the National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Screening Consortium core survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Response categories for items assessing screening history were designed to assess adherence with the screening guidelines of the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society current at the time of data collection.Women who had recieved a mammogram within the previous 1 to 2 years,a clinical breast examination within the previous 3 years were considered to be adherent with screening guidelines.Selected sociodemographic characteristics,including age,educational level,income,race/ethnicity,and job category,were also assessed