Text Messaging May Improve Abnormal Mammogram Follow-Up in Latinas

Purpose/Objectives: To develop and pilot test a text message notification process to reduce follow-up time for women with abnormal mammograms.

Design: Formative analysis; randomized trial with delayed intervention control group.

Setting: Tiburcio Vasquez Health Clinic (TVHC), a federally qualified health center in Hayward, California.

Sample: 29 Spanish-speaking Latinas with abnormal mammograms.

Methods: A Spanish text message was developed based on findings from two focus groups and five interviews with TVHC healthcare providers. Thirteen women were assigned to receive text messages within 24 hours of receipt of abnormal mammogram by TVHC (intervention group) and 16 to receive text messages four weeks later (delayed intervention group).

Main Research Variables: Number of days between the abnormal mammogram and the return for follow-up appointment.

Findings: The median number of days from the abnormal mammogram report to the return for follow-up was 23 days for the intervention group and 59 days for the delayed intervention group (p = 0.0569).

Conclusions: This study successfully developed a text message that, in Latinas, may decrease the time from receipt of an abnormal mammogram report to attendance at a follow-up visit.

Implications for Nursing: This simple, low-cost approach could result in earlier detection of breast cancers, lowering morbidity and mortality among Latinas.