Computing for a Cure:

Noralynn VallettaMentored by Dr. Cecily Heiner

COSE Symposium, November 12th, 2012

Why Mammogram Rates in Utah are Lower than the National Average

The Problem

• Breast cancer is the leading cancer killer of women in Utah. (Ahmedin Jemal, 2010)

• Utah’s mammography rates are one of the lowest in the nation. (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010)

Early Detection

Mammograms can reduce breast cancer mortality rates by increasing early detection.

(Komen)

Why Aren’t Women Getting Mammograms?

Possibilities:•Financial implications•Lack of formal education•Proximity to health care location

Hypothesis:

Rural women are less likely to participate in mammogram screenings due to lack of education.

Data

Start with survey data provided by the

Center for Disease Control (CDC’s)

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

BRFSS is a long survey with questions about•Drinking•Age•Household members•Visits to doctors•Dozens of questions

Analysis

• Goal: Find statistically significant variables to aid our understanding of why women may not utilize the early detection that mammograms provide.

• Tool: SPSS software – statistical software• Analyisis: Binary logistic regression

– Outcome variable based on HADMAM• Whether or not they had a mammogram• Binary variable- either they did or they did not!

Glossary

• SPSS (“Statistical Package for the Social Science”) software

• Data Mining: attempt to discover patterns in large data sets

Statistically significant variables are important because they reflect a

pattern rather than mere coincidence.

Variable Mapping

Query Variable BRFSS Name Statistical Significance

Dental Plan DENCLEAN YES

Education EDUCA NO

Ownership of health plan HLTHPLAN YES

Religious beliefs DRNKANY4 NO

County CPCOUNTY sometimes

UT County Map By Mammogram Rate

Pink: abnormally low mammogram rates

Blue: less than 10 individuals surveyed

Purple: Both!

Mobile Screening:“The Mammogram Truck”

• Mammogram screenings brought to your area

• Available to local businesses or groups of 10+ women

More Information: (801)-713-0600

Future Work

• Recently funded by the Utah Komen Affiliate

• Design and develop software with an adaptable survey to pinpoint reasons behind low mammogram rates in UT

• Offer facts, statistics and real-life stories to motivate and educate participants; follow up with a quiz one week later

Thank You!

References

• Ahmedin Jemal, R. S. (2010). Cancer Statistics, 2010. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 277-300.

• The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. (2010). Mammogram Rate for Women 40 years+. Retrieved September 18th, 2012, from http://statehealthfacts.org/comparetable.jsp?ind=479&cat=10&sub=113&yr=138&typ=2&sort=a

• http://ww5.komen.org/uploadedFiles/Content/GetInvolved/Events/Mammo_Eng.pdf

• http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus11.pdf#090