Cancer screening among African-American women: their use of tests and social support

This study examined associations between social ties (as measured by the Social Network Index), instrumental and emotional support, and the use of three female cancer screening tests: mammography, cervical smear, and clinical breast examination. Data were taken from a household survey of 670 African-American women living in northern California in 1986. In multiple logistic regression models, Berkman's index was associated with increased use of mammography but not with the use of cervical smear or clinical breast examination. Instrumental and emotional support measures were not significant. These results suggest that social networks may have a role in early cancer detection.