Mammography screening for breast cancer: first year results from Helsinki and surroundings

11,789 women aged 50-59 years were invited for screening by the mammography screening centre of the Cancer Society of Finland in Helsinki. 9829 women (83.37%) attended and 3.85% of those were recalled for further studies. After complete examination seventy-one women (0.72%) were referred for surgical biopsy and breast cancer was histologically detected in 44 (0.45%) of those screened. The proportion of Stage I + TIS breast cancers detected was 75%, and of Stage II or more advanced, 25%. With modern mammography techniques and proper training of technicians and radiologists, with double reading of all the films, it is possible to minimise both the recall rate and the number of women who are referred for surgical biopsy, and still find cancers in their early stages.     

社区30—50岁女性乳腺X线检查意向及影响因素的调查分析

目的描述社区30～50岁女性参加乳腺X线检查的意向并探讨其影响因素。方法采取便利抽样法,使用自制问卷对某市2个社区300名30～50岁的女性进行调查。结果48．20％的调查对象有参加乳腺X线检查的意向;社区30—50岁女性乳腺X线检查知识、态度得分分别为（3．64±1．33）分和（22．934-392）分;文化程度、乳腺X线检查经验及他人对乳腺X线检查的建议是社区30～50岁女性乳腺X线检查意向的保护因素。结论社区30～50岁女性中有参加乳腺X线检查意向者较少,提示乳腺癌的预防工作亟待加强。     

Mammography Screening for Breast Cancer: First Year Results from Helsinki and Surroundings

11 789 women aged 50–59 yeas were invited for screening by the mammography screening centre of the Cancer Society of Finland in Helsinki. 9829 women (83.37%) attended and 3.85% of those were recalled for further studies. After complete examination seventy-one women (0.72%) were referred for surgical biopsy and breast cancer was histologically detected in 44 (0.45%) of those screened. The proportion of Stage I + TIS breast cancers detected was 75%, and of Stage II or more advanced, 25%. With modern mammography techniques and proper training of technicians and radiologists, with double reading of all the films, it is possible to minimise both the recall rate and the number of women who are refered for surgical biopsy, and still find cancers in their early stages.     

A trial to study the effect on breast cancer mortality of annual mammographic screening in women starting at age 40. Trial Steering Group

OBJECTIVE: Although there is clear evidence from randomised trials of the effectiveness of mammographic screening in women over 50 in reducing mortality from breast cancer, the benefit of screening in younger women remains less certain. This paper describes a randomised controlled trial in progress to study the effect on breast cancer mortality of annual mammographic screening of women starting at age 40-41. SETTING: Screening centres of the NHS Breast Screening Programme. METHODS: In 1991 a national multicentre randomised controlled trial was set up by the United Kingdom Coordinating Committee on Cancer Research (UKCCCR). This trial (the "age" trial) aims at recruiting 195,000 women aged 40-41 such that 65,000 form a study group and the remaining 130,000 a control group. Women in the study group are invited for annual screening by mammography, and become eligible for the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) after age 50. Those in the control group are not offered any additional services, but will also join the national programme after age 50. All malignant breast histology in trial women is recorded. ANALYSIS: The principal method of evaluation will be the comparison of cumulative breast cancer mortality rates in the study and control groups; interim analyses of prognostic factors of breast cancers will also be possible. Additional NHS screening costs incurred owing to lowering the age of screening will be assessed as part of an economic evaluation. The amount of unscheduled screening occurring in the control group of the trial will also be assessed.     

Validity of process indicators of screening for breast cancer to predict mortality reduction

The aim of the study was to empirically assess the acceptable levels of process indicators as described in the European Community Guidelines using materials from the mammography service screening programmes. The Finnish programme was evaluated for effectiveness with a prior estimate of 0.74 for RR in Finland and 0.81 in Helsinki. Hence, the Finnish programme was likely to be somewhat less effective in terms of reduction in mortality than implied on the basis of early randomized trials, but probably approaching the same level of effectiveness. Finland therefore provides background data on the applicability of the process indicators that are indicators of performance and surrogates for effectiveness. The performance data on 10 Finnish screening centres at subsequent screens were used. These centres invited 687,000 women aged 50-64 years in 1991-2000. The mean compliance was 93% and the corresponding recall rate was 2.3%. The benign to malignant biopsy ratio was 0.43:1. The average breast cancer detection rate was 0.36%, 2.1 compared with the background incidence. The proportion of screen-detected stage II+ cancers was 26%. Most, but not all, of these process indicators met the desirable reference values of the European Community. The specific criteria of the European Community on stage distribution, rates of screen-detected cancers by stage and detection rate to background incidence may need reconsideration.     

Breast Cancer Screening in Premenopausal Women: Current Recommendations and Opportunities for Research

The American Cancer Society recommends periodic mammography, clinical breast examination and breast self-examination beginning at age 40 years for asymptomatic women at average risk of breast cancer. Although there is substantial evidence from meta-analyses and non-randomized studies to support these recommendations, individual randomized clinical trials of breast cancer screening have not demonstrated mortality reduction in women aged 40-49 years. The opportunity to study this issue further in the United States has been diminished by the high prevalence of screening already being conducted in that population of younger women. The International Union Against Cancer, the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute of the United States have convened a series of workshops and planning meetings to consider the available data and outline plans for future research. Plans are being developed to conduct a randomized trial of mammography in women younger than 50 years in multiple European sites. Successful completion of this trial may provide critical data on efficacy of breast cancer screening in younger women.     

The number of women who would need to be screened regularly by mammography to prevent one death from breast cancer

The number of women who would need to be screened regularly by mammography to prevent one death from breast cancer depends strongly on several factors, including the age at which regular screening starts, the period over which it continues, and the duration of follow-up after screening. Furthermore, more women would need to be INVITED for screening than would need to be SCREENED to prevent one death, since not all women invited attend for screening or are screened regularly. Failure to consider these important factors accounts for many of the major discrepancies between different published estimates. The randomised evidence indicates that, in high income countries, around one breast cancer death would be prevented in the long term for every 400 women aged 50-70 years regularly screened over a ten-year period.     

Recruitment for a guided self-help binge eating trial: Potential lessons for implementing programs in everyday practice settings

ObjectiveTo explore effects of various recruitment strategies on randomized clinical trial (RCT)-entry characteristics for patients with eating disorders within an everyday health-plan practice setting.MethodsRandomly selected women, aged 25–50, in a Pacific Northwest HMO were invited to complete a self-report binge-eating screener for two treatment trials. We publicized the trials within the health plan to allow self-referral. Here, we report differences on eating-disorder status by mode and nature of recruitment (online, mail, self-referred) and assessment (comprehensive versus abbreviated) and on possible differences in enrollee characteristics between those recruited by strategy (self-referred versus study-outreach efforts).ResultsFew differences emerged among those recruited through outreach who responded by different modalities (internet versus mail), early-versus-late responders, and those enrolling under more comprehensive or abbreviated assessment. Self-referred were more likely to meet binge-eating thresholds and reported higher average BMI than those recruited by outreach and responding by mail; however, in most respects the groups were more similar than anticipated. Fewer than 1% of those initially contacted through outreach enrolled.ConclusionsAggressive outreach and screening is likely not feasible for broader dissemination in everyday practice settings and recruits individuals with more similar demographic and clinical characteristics to those recruited through more abbreviated and realistic screening procedures than anticipated.     

Enhancing breast health in rural populations: clinical nurse specialist as the key

Four clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) were funded for a project to increase breast cancer (BC) screening practices and the knowledge of BC risk factors for women in 4 medically underserved rural counties. The goal was to implement a program to increase knowledge of breast health practices, increase access to mammography, establish linkages among CNSs and community organizations, and increase resources for breast health education and screening. Phase I: A training program (focusing on breast health, breast cancer, and screening) was presented to public health nurses from each of the 4 counties. Phase II: Project and public health nurses teamed to provide an education and screening program for rural area women. The program involved making mammograms available at no cost through a mobile mammography unit that was brought to each county. Mammograms and educational programs were provided to 141 women. The project team was clearly able to function as both clinical experts and clinical leaders. The spheres of influence for these 4 CNSs included patient/client (rural women), nursing personnel (county health department nurses), and organization/network (state health department and governmental bodies). This project, based on the Logic Model, can serve as a framework for delivering care in underserved, rural populations.     

4. BREAST CANCER SCREENING

Mammographic screening reduces breast cancer mortality by 24% in women aged ≥50 years. Women aged 50–53 are invited for their first screen in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), thereafter at three-year intervals until the age of 64. Two-view mammography is offered at the first (prevalent) screening examination and one-view for subsequent (incident) screens. The screening films are sorted into either ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal requiring further assessment’. Assessment is carried out by a specialist multidisciplinary team using the triple approach: clinical examination, imaging and, where appropriate, needle biopsy. Imaging is planned according to the mammographic abnormality – paddle compression view to assess parenchymal distortion, magnification view to assess microcalcification. After confirmation of a suspicious abnormality, needle biopsy is performed. Results of triple assessment are considered together by the multidisciplinary team and further management is planned. There are four likely outcomes: benign/normal, confirmed breast cancer, suspicious but needing diagnostic surgical excision, and diagnostic uncertainty needing early recall for screening.     

Radiographers’ Reflections on Women With High Breast Density Tissue—An Interview Study

Women aged between 40 and 74 years are called to do mammography screening in Sweden with the aim of early detection of breast cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in women. Women with dense breast tissue are more likely to develop breast cancer, and mammography is not an optimal diagnostic method for them because of reduced sensitivity. Radiographers who work in mammography departments are exposed to ethical dilemma daily, which is whether they should inform women about the density of their breast. The purpose of the study is to illustrate thoughts that radiographers have on breast density during mammography examination. The study was performed with qualitative method, where semistructured interviews were conducted. The material from the interviews was analyzed, condensed into different units and afterward in different codes that became different categories. The informants had separate opinions about if women in Sweden should be informed about breast density. On the other hand, radiographers considered that women should not be informed if there are no guidelines for the assessment and follow-up of breast density. With regard to supplementary examinations, all informants consider that it would be good for women with high-dense breast tissue to be offered supplementary examinations during mammography screening.     

The intention of future mammography screening among Korean women

The purpose of this study was to understand factors that influence future mammography intention and to differentiate significant factors influencing future mammography intention between those who have past mammography experience and those who do not. A cross-sectional study design was used to analyze characteristics and factors that influence the intention to have a mammogram among middle-aged Korean women. A total of 310 women, aged 30 and older, participated in the study. The study results indicated that a combination of the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action was effective in predicting mammography intention of Korean women. It found that knowledge, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and the subjective norm were significant factors affecting mammography intention in women who have past mammography experience. For women who have never had a mammogram, age, knowledge, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy provided a significant contribution to predicting mammography intention. Thirty-three to 43% of the variability in mammography intention can be explained by the combined influence of these independent variables. The findings from this study can be used to guide the design and implementation of tailored health education and promotion programs for Korean women according to their mammography experience, so as to increase mammography screening.     

Thyroid function tests, serum lipids and gender interrelations in a middle-aged population.

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of screening for thyroid function in a screening program for hyperlipidaemia. DESIGN: A screening study in primary health care. SETTING: All individuals in a defined rural area, S?der?kra, Sweden, aged 40-59 years were invited to a screening programme at the local primary health care centre. PARTICIPANTS: 782 individuals were invited for screening. Blood samples were obtained from 88% of the invited males and from 92% of the females. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thyroid function tests (thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4), serum lipids (total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and s-triglycerides), b-glucose and body anthropometry (body mass index and waist to hip circumference) were measured. RESULTS: 0.57% of males and 1.13% of females showed evidence of hypothyroidism as defined by a TSH value greater than 3.75 mU/l of those with s-cholesterol concentration above 7 mmol/l. In addition, higher TSH values in females were associated with higher s-cholesterol, s-LDL-cholesterol and s-triglycerides. CONCLUSION: It seems appropriate to screen for hypothyroidism in females with s-cholesterol above 7.0 mmol/l.     

Screening for breast cancer in England: past and future

The NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) began in 1988. It aims to invite all women aged 50-70 years for mammographic screening once every three years. The programme now screens 1.3 million women each year, about 75% of those invited, and diagnoses about 10,000 breast cancers annually. Although some have questioned the value of screening for breast cancer, the scientific evidence demonstrates clearly that regular mammographic screening between the ages of 50 and 70 years reduces mortality from the malignancy. Screened women are slightly more likely than unscreened women to be diagnosed with breast cancer. The cancers in screened women are smaller and are less likely to be treated with mastectomy than they would have been if diagnosed without screening. For every 400 women screened regularly by the NHSBSP over a 10-year period, one woman fewer will die from breast cancer than would have died without screening. The current NHSBSP saves an estimated 1400 lives each year in England. The screening programme spends about pound sterling 3000 for every year of life saved.     

Women's perceptions of early detection in breast cancer: how are we doing?

Breast cancer is a significant risk to many women in the United States. It is also a major cause of death among American women. The National Cancer Institute's Year 2000 breast screening goal is to increase the percentage of women aged 50 to 70 years who have physical examination and mammography to 80%. However, many barriers to screening remain. Providing correct information and education regarding risk and mammography may help to overcome these barriers and achieve this goal.     

Comparison of breast mammography,sonography and physical examination for screening women at high risk of breast cancer in taiwan

Recommended surveillance for screening breast cancer, which includes regular mammography and clinical breast examination, has long been established in Western countries. This strategy may be too costly and unnecessary for countries with low incidences of breast cancer. The purpose of the present study is to compare breast mammography, sonography and physical examination in screening female relatives of breast cancer index cases from the hospital, and their relative efficiency. A total of 935 women over 35 years old, who were relatives of breast cancer patients, were invited to an annual screening by means of a combination of mammography, sonography and physical examination on a single day. A biopsy was performed when any of the three investigations indicated a possibility of malignancy. A total of 21 breast cancers, including sixteen invasive cancers and 5 noninvasive cancers, were detected among the 935 high-risk women. Of the cancers, 18, including 16 invasive cancers and 3 noninvasive cancers, were detected by sonography. In contrast, only 11 invasive cancers were detected by mammography, and 7 by physical examination. There were only 14 cancers detected by a combination of mammography and physical examination. The 7 (33.3%) additional cancers were detected when sonography was added. The sensitivity of sonography was 90.4%, which was higher than mammography (52.4%) and physical examination (33.3%), or even a combination of these two modalities (66.7%). This indicates that sonography is a more accurate screening tool for breast cancer in the high-risk group. Although breast sonography has not yet been recommended as a routine screening tool for breast cancer in Western countries, it may be superior to mammography and physical examination for the screening of Taiwanese high-risk female relatives of breast cancer index cases. If it should also be considered as a routine adjunct screening modality for Taiwanese women with lower rates of breast cancer will need further study.     

Screening mammogram utilization in women with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether women with diabetes undergo fewer screening mammograms than matched control subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 424 women with diabetes aged 50-75 years who received their primary care from general internists at a large Midwestern multispecialty group practice were retrospectively studied for frequency of mammography from August 1997 to January 2000. Two control subjects without diabetes (n = 845) were matched to each case by age, sex, provider, and date of visit. The main outcome measure was the percentage of subjects undergoing mammography 1 year before and 30 days after an index date, defined as the most recent health care visit after August 1997 and before January 2000. RESULTS: Analysis by conditional logistic regression demonstrated that women with diabetes had significantly lower rates of mammograms than control subjects (78.1 vs. 84.9%, respectively; odds ratio 0.63, P = 0.002). After adjusting for insurance status and race, women with diabetes continued to have significantly lower rates of mammography (odds ratio 0.70, P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Women with diabetes were significantly less likely to undergo screening mammography than control subjects. Considering the increasing incidence of diabetes and the equal incidence of malignancy in women with and without diabetes, it would be beneficial to improve breast cancer screening in this population.     

Screening MRI for Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer

Recognition of the limitations of mammography in screening women at high risk for breast cancer stimulated clinical trials to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an adjunct to mammography. Based on the results of these trials, there is increased interest in offering screening MRI to high-risk women after discussion of the potential benefits and risks. The benefits include increased cancer detection with MRI and significantly more cancers detected prior to nodal metastases. The risks include false-positive exams, which lead to additional imaging and/or benign biopsies. This article will review the findings from published clinical trials and provide guidelines for implementation of an MRI screening program.     

Physicians�� attitudes and behaviour toward screening mammography in women 40 to 49 years of age

Objective

To determine family physicians’ attitudes and behaviour toward screening mammography, breast self-examination, and breast awareness in women aged 40 to 49 at average risk of breast cancer.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Women’s College Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, both in Toronto, Ont.

Participants

Family medicine residents, fellows, and staff physicians at 2 academic family practice health centres affiliated with the University of Toronto (n = 95).

Main outcome measures

Physicians’ answers to questions about offering screening mammography and promoting breast self-examination and breast awareness.

Results

Fifty-two completed surveys were returned (response rate 55%). Less than half of all surveyed family physicians (46%) routinely offered screening mammography to women aged 40 to 49 who were at average risk of breast cancer. Although 40% of physicians did not think breast cancer screening was necessary for women aged 40 to 49, 62% indicated that they would offer screening if their patients requested it. Physicians’ reasons not to offer screening included no evidence of decreasing breast cancer deaths (63%), grade A recommendation to screen women starting at age 50 and not at age 40 (25%), and the harms of screening outweighing the benefits (19%). Physicians’ reasons to offer screening included patient request (55%), personal clinical practice experience or mentors’ recommendations (27%), and guideline recommendations (18%). Breast self-examination was not recommended by most physicians (74%), yet most encouraged women to practise breast awareness (81%).

Conclusion

Many women at average risk of breast cancer are not being offered the opportunity to discuss and initiate mammographic screening before 50 years of age. While breast-self examination is not recommended, most physicians promote breast awareness.     

Personalized targeted mailing increases mammography among long-term noncompliant medicare beneficiaries: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVES: The study purpose was to increase mammography screening among older women by identifying female Medicare beneficiaries without a recent mammogram and assesses the cost-effectiveness of a personalized targeted mailing encouraging them to have a mammogram. METHODS: A randomized paired controlled trial included 1229 pairs of women matched on zip code, race, and urban or rural county. Postintervention mammography claims were measured from November 1997 through December 1998. The subjects were female Medicare beneficiaries age > or = 70, living in Michigan for > or = 5 years, having no significant comorbidity likely to affect screening, and no mammogram for > or = 5 years. Intervention subjects received a personally addressed letter from the Medical Director of Michigan Medicare with materials emphasizing the individual's lack of use of the Medicare mammography screening benefit, reasons for screening, and how to be screened. RESULTS: Women who received the mailing were 60% more likely to have a subsequent mammogram (OR 1.6, P <0.005), with diagnostic mammograms increasing more than screening mammograms (2.8% vs. 0.8%). The absolute increase was greatest for women age 70 to 79, 10.6% in the intervention group versus 6.5% for controls, odds ratio 1.7 (P <0.02). A statewide Medicare intervention in Michigan would cost of 108,000 US dollars to 238,000 US dollars, producing 3500 to 4300 additional mammograms at 31 US dollars to 55 US dollars per additional mammogram. CONCLUSION: The intervention increased mammography among long-term noncompliant older women, particularly increasing diagnostic mammograms. This approach can be directly implemented in other states and nationally. It may also be useful for other preventive services.