The influence of Australian women's magazine upon participation in mammographic screening programs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of Australian women's magazines upon participation in mammographic screening programs. DESIGN: Questionaire SETTING: BreastScreen NSW South West, sites at Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Albury and the mobile mammography van (Balranald NSW). PARTICIPANTS: 595 women in attendance for mammographic screening between June 1997. RESULTS: 98% of respondants had access to women's magazines. 62.7% had been influenced to undergo mammography after reading related articles in women's magazines. 95.2% agreed with the concept of women's magazines having a role to play in the education of women about mammography. The prefered method of selivery for specific information was a mixed publication of medical facts and anecdotes, 42.2%. An increase in the current number of articles publisched was desired. by 73.7%. After reading an article on mammography 17.6% had actively sought further information on mammography. CONCLUSION:Australian women's magazines are a significant influence in women's presentation for mammographic screening. There is potential for women's magazines to be further utilised to generate a higher profile for breast screening, increase recruitment into mammographic screening programs and to further educate women as to the benefits of mammographic screening. This could be achieved with formalisation of their role.