In a pilot study, Kapp is working to understand women's knowledge about mammography and their feelings surrounding breast cancer screening conversations with their physicians. Kapp aims to help women understand the advantages and disadvantages of mammograms and help improve the dialogue between patients and health care providers about the best time to begin breast cancer screenings.

The goal of the study is not to encourage women to avoid mammograms, but to discover more effective ways to educate women on the benefits and risks of breast cancer screenings as well as to improve communication between doctors and patients.

"Most of the information women get about mammograms does not come from their physicians; it comes from friends, family and the Internet," Kapp said. "Women and doctors should have frequent conversations about their overall health and breast cancer screenings."

Source: University of Missouri-Columbia