This study found that, after adjusting for potential confounders, women with mental illness were 32% less likely to undergo at least one screening mammography. Of those who had received at least one mammography, fewer women with mental illness received a mammography on an annual basis. Further, for all beneficiaries, each year of Medicaid enrollment was associated with a 50% increase in the likelihood of screening. These statistics suggest that Medicaid beneficiaries with mental illness are likely to face suboptimal prevention and screening methods, which must be addressed in order to eliminate cancer disparities among this population.
