Are perceptions and preferences channels of transmission for social inequalities in breast cancer screening attendance?

Three broad types of explanations can be found relative to breast cancer screening attendance: socioeconomic characteristics (education), preferences (e.g. attitude toward risk) and perceptions. These determinants are elicited in the experimental laboratory on 178 women aged between 50 and 75 years old. By performing a mediation analysis, this study aims at identifying the main drivers of screening regularity, as it is a crucial determinant of breast cancer mortality reduction. Results show that socioeconomic determinants (both from parents and the individual) have a strong impact. Women whose mother passed compulsory education are more likely to hold a degree and to be risk tolerant and hence to screen regularly. Even if more educated and richer women tend to screen more regularly, these effects are lowered once perceptions are controlled for. Indeed, almost all respondents overestimate their risk of developing breast cancer, but the less educated respondents do so even more. This study reveals that risk preference is a channel for opportunity inequalities. On the contrary, controlling for risk and benefit perceptions tend to alleviate the role played by current socioeconomic status