Mammogram Travel Time Still Long for Many U.S. Women
Published on December 20, 2022
More than 8 million U.S. women have to drive more than 20 minutes for a mammogram, including more than 50% of women in rural areas in 28 states, according to a study.
The research was published online on Dec. 14, 2022, by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Read the abstract of “Changes in geographic accessibility to mammography by state and rural-urban status, United States, 2006-2022.”
About the study
Led by American Cancer Society researchers, the study looked at the location of mammography centers in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Alaska and Hawaii were excluded from the study. The information on the mammography centers came from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The researchers then used American Community Survey population information to figure out how many women ages 45 to 84 had to drive more than 20 minutes to a mammography center.
The researchers classified women who had to drive 20 minutes or longer to a center as having limited accessibility to mammography.
The researchers found that the percentage of women with limited accessibility didn’t change much from 2006, when it was 12.7%, to 2022, when it was 12.2%.
But because of population growth, the actual number of women with limited accessibility went up by nearly 1 million:
7.5 million women had limited access in 2006
8.2 million women had limited access in 2022
Women in rural areas were much more likely to have limited access to mammography. In 2022:
50.6% of rural women had limited access
3% of urban women had limited access
In 10 states, more than 26% of women had limited access, primarily in the Rocky Mountains and the South.
“Our findings are concerning. Mammography is widely available in the United States, but barriers, such as long drive times, are likely influencing a woman’s decision to get screened,” Daniel Wiese, PhD, senior scientist, cancer disparity research at the American Cancer Society, and lead author of the study, said in a statement. “We need to move forward on programs to remove these barriers so women can access this potentially life-saving screening.”
What this means for you
The results of this study are upsetting. Everyone — no matter where they live — deserves the best healthcare possible. This includes regular screening mammograms.
If travel is stopping you from scheduling a mammogram — whether it’s the time it takes you or the travel itself — you may want to ask someone in your doctor’s office about mobile mammography options in your area.
You also can ask about information on transportation to and from mammography centers. There are a number of community service organizations, as well as government agencies, such as the Veteran’s Administration, that offer rides to and from healthcare appointments.
Learn more about mammograms.