Mammography Mammography is an x-ray image of the breast used to detect irregularities in breast tissue. In the National Health Interview Survey questions concerning use of mammography differed slightly across the years for which data are shown. In 1987 and 1990 women were asked to report when they had their last mammogram. In 1991 women were asked whether they had a mammogram in the past 2 years. In 1993 and 1994 women were asked whether they had a mammogram within the past year, between 1 and 2 years ago, or over 2 years ago. In 1998 women were asked whether they had a mammogram a year ago or less, more than 1 year but not more than 2 years, or more than 2 years ago. In 1999 women were asked when they had their most recent mammogram in days, weeks, months, or years. In 1999, 10 percent of women in the sample responded "2 years ago" and in this analysis these women were coded as "within the past 2 years" although a response of "2 years ago" may include women whose last mammogram was more than 2 but less than 3 years ago. Thus estimates for 1999 are overestimated to some degree in comparison with estimates in previous years. In 2000 women were asked when they had their most recent mammogram (give month and year). Women who did not respond were given a followup question that used the 1999 wording and women who did not answer the followup question were asked a second followup question that used the 1998 wording. In 2000, two percent of women in the sample answered "2 years ago" using the 1999 wording and they were coded as "within the past 2 years." Thus estimates for 2000 may be slightly overestimated in comparison with estimates for years prior to 1999. SOURCE: Health, United States
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January 11, 2007
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