Breast Cancer Screening In Women Research Articles

The relationship between demographic factors and known risk factors with breast cancer in women aged 30-69

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most important causes of cancer deaths in women. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between demographic factors and known risk factors with breast cancer in women aged 30 to 69. Method: This case-control study was conducted with two matched and unmatched control groups. Three hundred fifty women aged 30 to 69 with breast cancer, 350 age-matched women without cancer, and 350 not age-matched women were included in the study. Controls were selected from the records of women whose breast cancer screening results were normal. Study subjects were evaluated regarding the risk factors for breast cancer. The data collection tool was a checklist including the risk factors investigated in the integrated health system (IHS). The collected data were analyzed utilizing SPSS22 software at a significance level of less than 0.05. Results: The average age in the case group was 46.63 ± 11.77 years and 49.61 ± 8.39 in the unmatched control group. The average age of marriage in the case group was 21.54 ± 4.31, and the average age of women at first pregnancy in the case group was 24.06 ± 3.39 years. In the case group, 163 people (46.57%) lived in the city, 221 people (63.14%) were over 40 years old, and 337 people (96.28%) were married. In multivariate analysis, the variable “age of marriage” 0.821 (0.691-0.976) and “age of first pregnancy” 1.213 (1.020-1.443) showed a significant relationship with breast cancer which were observed as predictors of breast cancer in comparison to the unmatched control group (P-value <0.05). Conclusion: The age of the first pregnancy and the type of delivery were observed as predictors of breast cancer. Therefore, by performing breast cancer screening in women who are exposed to these risk factors, early diagnosis of the disease and increasing the speed of their treatment can be significantly helped.

Evaluation of the Possible Benefits of Breast Cancer Screening in Women Aged 40 to 49 Years in the Steel Valley Region, Brazil

Background: This study investigates the effectiveness of mammographic screening for women aged 40 to 49 in Brazil's Steel Valley Region. Despite a Ministry of Health recommendation to start screenings at 50, 25% of breast cancer cases occur in the 40-49 age group. Methods: The retrospective analysis, spanning 2008-2019 at Marcio Cunha Hospital, compared two groups: cancer diagnosed via screening mammography (277) and diagnostic mammography (229). Results: Results showed delayed diagnoses for non-screened women, with 4.16 times higher mortality rate. Screening facilitated earlier detection of less malignant cancers (85.9% vs. 43.7%). Women diagnosed through screening were more likely to preserve their breasts (28.9% vs. 55.5% for Radical Breast Surgery and 71.1% vs. 28.9% for Breast-Sparing Surgery), and fewer axillary lymphadenectomies were performed. All statistical tests performed returned a p-value lower than 0.05 showing high statistical significance. Conclusion: The findings support extending screening mammography access to all women over 40 in the Steel Valley region and underscore the need for broader-scale research in other areas. Recommendations include enhancing public awareness and establishing a breast cancer surveillance service.

Breast Tomographic Ultrasound: The Spectrum from Current Dense Breast Cancer Screenings to Future Theranostic Treatments.

This review provides unique insights to the scientific scope and clinical visions of the inventors and pioneers of the SoftVue breast tomographic ultrasound (BTUS). Their >20-year collaboration produced extensive basic research and technology developments, culminating in SoftVue, which recently received the Food and Drug Administration's approval as an adjunct to breast cancer screening in women with dense breasts. SoftVue's multi-center trial confirmed the diagnostic goals of the tissue characterization and localization of quantitative acoustic tissue differences in 2D and 3D coronal image sequences. SoftVue mass characterizations are also reviewed within the standard cancer risk categories of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. As a quantitative diagnostic modality, SoftVue can also function as a cost-effective platform for artificial intelligence-assisted breast cancer identification. Finally, SoftVue's quantitative acoustic maps facilitate noninvasive temperature monitoring and a unique form of time-reversed, focused US in a single theranostic device that actually focuses acoustic energy better within the highly scattering breast tissues, allowing for localized hyperthermia, drug delivery, and/or ablation. Women also prefer the comfort of SoftVue over mammograms and will continue to seek out less-invasive breast care, from diagnosis to treatment.

Implementing supplementary breast cancer screening in women with dense breasts: Insights from European radiographers and radiologists

IntroductionIn response to the critical need for enhancing breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts, this study explored the understanding of challenges and requirements for implementing supplementary breast cancer screening for such women among clinical radiographers and radiologists in Europe. MethodFourteen (14) semi-structured online interviews were conducted with European clinical radiologists (n = 5) and radiographers (n = 9) specializing in breast cancer screening from 8 different countries: Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom. The interview schedule comprised questions regarding professional background and demographics and 13 key questions divided into six subgroups, namely Supplementary Imaging, Training, Resources and Guidelines, Challenges, Implementing supplementary screening and Women's Perspective. Data analysis followed the six phases of reflexive thematic analysis. ResultsSix significant themes emerged from the data analysis: Understanding and experiences of supplementary imaging for women with dense breasts; Challenges and requirements related to training among clinical radiographers and radiologists; Awareness among radiographers and radiologists of guidelines on imaging women with dense breasts; Challenges to implement supplementary screening; Predictors of Implementing Supplementary screening; Views of radiologists and radiographers on women's perception towards supplementary screening. ConclusionThe interviews with radiographers and radiologists provided valuable insights into the challenges and potential strategies for implementing supplementary breast cancer screening. These challenges included patient and staff related challenges. Implementing multifaceted solutions such as Artificial Intelligence integration, specialized training and resource investment can address these challenges and promote the successful implementation of supplementary screening. Further research and collaboration are needed to refine and implement these strategies effectively. Implications for practiceThis study highlights the urgent need for specialized training programs and dedicated resources to enhance supplementary breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts in Europe. These resources include advanced imaging technologies, such as MRI or ultrasound, and specialized software for image analysis. Moreover, further research is imperative to refine screening protocols and evaluate their efficacy and cost-effectiveness, based on the findings of this study.

Ultrasonography is an effective tool for breast cancer screening in individuals with severe motor and intellectual disabilities.

Individuals with severe motor and intellectual disabilities have become an aging population, and high cancer morbidity and mortality are critical issues affecting their survival. Cancer screening is a crucial method of resolving this issue; however, a suitable screening method for them has not been established. We used ultrasonography alone and performed breast cancer screening for women over 30 years old in our facility from 2016 to 2023. We observed the outcomes and calculated the recall/detection rate in this screening. Three cases among 379 tested positive in this screening, all of which underwent radical surgery. They are alive and well without relapse present. We detected these breast cancer cases with a low recall rate. We were able to successfully detect breast cancer cases using ultrasonography alone. Ultrasonography is an effective and feasible tool for breast cancer screening in individuals with severe motor and intellectual disabilities.

IJCM_156A: A Cross-sectional study on the Prevalence of Risk Factors of Breast Cancer and Awareness of Breast Cancer Screening in Women of age group 30 to 70 years in Karamadai Block of Coimbatore Health Unit District

Background: Breast cancer, the most common malignancy among women globally, recorded over 2.26 million new cases and almost 685,000 deaths in the same year. Evidence indicates breast cancer risk links to both modifiable and non-modifiable lifestyle factors. Promoting education and access to screening programs is crucial for early detection and intervention in breast cancer. This approach ultimately enhances the effectiveness of prevention efforts and reduces complications and mortality of breast cancer. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of risk factors of breast cancer and to assess the awareness of breast cancer screening in women of age group 30-70 years in Karamadai Block of Coimbatore Health Unit District. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among 150 women in Coimbatore using a semi-structured questionnaire and statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21 version. Results: Out of 150 participants, the mean age of subjects was 50 ± 11 years, with 98% being married women. The prevalence of modifiable and non- modifiable risk factors of breast cancer were found to be 61% and 9% respectively. 54% were aware of government facility-based breast cancer screening. But only 25% had undergone screening for breast cancer. Individuals who underwent breast cancer screening in the last one year found to be aware of breast cancer screening compared to those who did not. (OR 2.5, 95% CI 2.02-3.18). Conclusion: Awareness and screening for breast cancer are low among the study participants. Women =30 years of age attending all outpatient departments in any health facility should be educated regarding the importance of screening of breast cancer.

What Breast Cancer Screening Program do Rural Women Prefer? A Discrete Choice Experiment in Jiangsu, China.

Chinese rural women aged 35-64 years are encouraged to complete breast cancer screening (BCS) free of charge. However, it is challenging to reach a satisfying BCS uptake rate. In this study, rural women's preferences and preferences heterogeneity were measured for the development of strategies to enhance participation in BCS. A cross-sectional survey with a discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted via convenience sampling via face-to-face interviews in Jiangsu, China. Six DCE attributes were identified through a systematic literature review; our previous study of Chinese rural women's BCS intentions; a qualitative work involving in-depth interviews with rural women (n = 13), medical staff (n = 4), and health care managers (n = 2); and knowledge of realistic and actionable policy. The D-efficient design was generated using Ngene 1.3.0. A mixed logit model (MXL) in Stata 18.0 was used to estimate the main effect of attribute levels on rural women's preferences. The relative importance and willingness to utilize BCS services (WTU) were also estimated. The heterogeneous preferences were analyzed by a latent class model (LCM). Sociodemographic status was used to predict the characteristics of class membership. The WTU for different classes was also calculated. A total of 451 rural women, aged 35-64 years, were recruited. The MXL results revealed that the screening interval (SI) was the most important attribute for rural women with regard to utilizing BCS services, followed by the level of screening, the attitude of medical staff, ways to get knowledge and information, people who recommend screening, and time spent on screening (TSS). Rural women preferred a BCS service with a shorter TSS; access to knowledge and information through multiple approaches; a shorter SI; a recommendation from medical staff or workers from the village or community, and others; the enthusiasm of medical staff; and medical staff with longer tenures in the field. Two classes named "process driven" and "efficiency driven" were identified by the preference heterogeneity analysis of the LCM. There is a higher uptake of breast cancer screening when servicesare tailored to women's preferences. The screening interval was the most important attribute for rural women in China with a preference for a yearly screening interval versus longer intervals.

Mammography followed by ultrasonography compared to mammography alone for breast cancer screening in women at average risk of breast cancer (Russian translation of the Plain Language Summary (PLS) of the Cochrane Systematic Review)

Mammography followed by ultrasonography compared to mammography alone for breast cancer screening in women at average risk of breast cancer (Russian translation of the Plain Language Summary (PLS) of the Cochrane Systematic Review)

Comprehensive Inherited Risk Estimation for Risk-Based Breast Cancer Screening in Women.

Family history (FH) and pathogenic variants (PVs) are used for guiding risk surveillance in selected high-risk women but little is known about their impact for breast cancer screening on population level. In addition, polygenic risk scores (PRSs) have been shown to efficiently stratify breast cancer risk through combining information about common genetic factors into one measure. In longitudinal real-life data, we evaluate PRS, FH, and PVs for stratified screening. Using FinnGen (N = 117,252), linked to the Mass Screening Registry for breast cancer (1992-2019; nationwide organized biennial screening for age 50-69 years), we assessed the screening performance of a breast cancer PRS and compared its performance with FH of breast cancer and PVs in moderate- (CHEK2)- to high-risk (PALB2) susceptibility genes. Effect sizes for FH, PVs, and high PRS (>90th percentile) were comparable in screening-aged women, with similar implications for shifting age at screening onset. A high PRS identified women more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer after a positive screening finding (positive predictive value [PPV], 39.5% [95% CI, 37.6 to 41.5]). Combinations of risk factors increased the PPVs up to 45% to 50%. A high PRS conferred an elevated risk of interval breast cancer (hazard ratio [HR], 2.78 [95% CI, 2.00 to 3.86] at age 50 years; HR, 2.48 [95% CI, 1.67 to 3.70] at age 60 years), and women with a low PRS (<10th percentile) had a low risk for both interval- and screen-detected breast cancers. Using real-life screening data, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of a breast cancer PRS for risk stratification, alone and combined with FH and PVs. Further research is required to evaluate their impact in a prospective risk-stratified screening program, including cost-effectiveness.

Conceptualization of Breast Cancer and Attitudes toward Breast Cancer Screening: A Qualitative Study on Iranian and Australian Women

Objective Regular screening can lead to early diagnosis of breast cancer. Australia is one of the countries with a high rate of participation in breast cancer screening, while in Iran, most patients are diagnosed in advanced stages. This qualitative study used a thematic analysis method to examine the attitudes and beliefs of Iranian and Australian women toward breast cancer and breast cancer screening. Method In-depth interviews were conducted with eight Iranian and seven Australian women. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis with an inferential approach. Results According to the results, four main themes were extracted for the perceptions of breast cancer, including “the meaning of breast cancer”, “causes of breast cancer”, “prevention of breast cancer” and “effects of significant people in life”. Considering the perceptions of breast cancer screening, three themes were identified, including “beliefs about breast cancer screening,” “sources of information about breast cancer screening,” and “barriers to breast cancer screening.” Conclusion Cultural and social factors influence women’s perceptions of breast cancer and screening. Therefore, investigating the cultural meaning of breast cancer and breast cancer screening for women can be useful for screening and prevention purposes.

Performance measures of 8,169,869 examinations in the National Breast Cancer Screening Program in Taiwan, 2004–2020

BackgroundThe benefits of mammographic screening have been shown to include a decrease in mortality due to breast cancer. Taiwan’s Breast Cancer Screening Program is a national screening program that has offered biennial mammographic breast cancer screening for women aged 50–69 years since 2004 and for those aged 45–69 years since 2009, with the implementation of mobile units in 2010. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance results of the program with changes in the previous (2004–2009) and latter (2010–2020) periods.MethodsA cohort of 3,665,078 women who underwent biennial breast cancer mammography screenings from 2004 to 2020 was conducted, and data were obtained from the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan. We compared the participation of screened women and survival rates from breast cancer in the earlier and latter periods across national breast cancer screening programs.ResultsAmong 3,665,078 women who underwent 8,169,869 examinations in the study population, the screened population increased from 3.9% in 2004 to 40% in 2019. The mean cancer detection rate was 4.76 and 4.08 cancers per 1000 screening mammograms in the earlier (2004–2009) and latter (2010–2020) periods, respectively. The 10-year survival rate increased from 89.68% in the early period to 97.33% in the latter period. The mean recall rate was 9.90% (95% CI: 9.83–9.97%) in the early period and decreased to 8.15% (95%CI, 8.13–8.17%) in the latter period.ConclusionsThe evolution of breast cancer screening in Taiwan has yielded favorable outcomes by increasing the screening population, increasing the 10-year survival rate, and reducing the recall rate through the participation of young women, the implementation of a mobile unit service and quality assurance program, thereby providing historical evidence to policy makers to plan future needs.

Mammography-based deep learning model for coronary artery calcification.

Mammography, commonly used for breast cancer screening in women, can also predict cardiovascular disease. We developed mammography-based deep learning models for predicting coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores, an established predictor of coronary events. We evaluated a subset of Korean adults who underwent image mammography and CAC computed tomography and randomly selected approximately 80% of the participants as the training dataset, used to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict detectable CAC. The sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), and overall accuracy of the model's performance were evaluated. The training and validation datasets included 5235 and 1208 women, respectively [mean age, 52.6 (±10.2) years], including non-zero cases (46.8%). The CNN-based deep learning prediction model based on the Resnet18 model showed the best performance. The model was further improved using contrastive learning strategies based on positive and negative samples: sensitivity, 0.764 (95% CI, 0.667-0.830); specificity, 0.652 (95% CI, 0.614-0.710); AUROC, 0.761 (95% CI, 0.742-0.780); and accuracy, 70.8% (95% CI, 68.8-72.4). Moreover, including age and menopausal status in the model further improved its performance (AUROC, 0.776; 95% CI, 0.762-0.790). The Framingham risk score yielded an AUROC of 0.736 (95% CI, 0.712-0.761). Mammography-based deep learning models showed promising results for predicting CAC, performing comparably to conventional risk models. This indicates mammography's potential for dual-risk assessment in breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. Further research is necessary to validate these findings in diverse populations, with a particular focus on representation from national breast screening programmes.

Temporal Evolution and Associated Factors of Adherence to Mammography Screening among Women in Spain: Results from Two National Health Surveys (2017-2020).

Ensuring equity in cancer screening is recommended by the European Commission. Despite the fact that breast cancer screening is a free population-based program in Spain, there remains considerable variation in the adherence to screening rate among population groups. This study was designed to describe the adherence of breast cancer screening in women in Spain, to evaluate the evolution in the period from 2017 to 2020, and to determine the variables that influence choosing to undergo breast cancer screening. A nationwide cross-sectional study with 7220 females aged 50-69 years from the 2017 Spanish National Health Survey and the 2020 European Health Survey for Spain was performed. We investigated mammography uptake rates, with socio-demographic factors, lifestyle habits, and health-related characteristics as independent variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors of mammography adherence. Of the women, 78% had undergone mammography in the previous two years, and there was a significant decrease in the uptake rate for breast cancer screening from 2017 (81.23%) to 2020 (74.68%) (p < 0.001). Educational level, marital status, residential location, nationality, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and leisure-time physical activity were all associated factors of mammography uptake.

News Brief: Breast cancer screening in women over 70 years of age may be leading to overdiagnosis.

News Brief: Breast cancer screening in women over 70 years of age may be leading to overdiagnosis.

Association of Body Mass Index and Weight Gain With Obesity-Related Breast Cancer Risk Biomarkers in Adult Chinese Women

To investigate the associatiojn of body mass index (BMI) at different stages of life and weight gain in adulthood with obesity-related breast cancer risk biomarkers and to provide evidence for formulating policies concerning the prevention and control of breast cancer. A cross-sectional study was designed based on the follow-up cohort of southwest China community-based breast cancer screening of women. Using sequential sampling, eligible participants were enrolled from the cohort as the subjects of the study. Information on the basic risk factors was collected and the height, weight, and plasma biomarker levels were measured. Multiple linear regression model was applied to analyze the associations of early adulthood BMI (defined as the BMI of the participant at age 20), adulthood BMI (defined as the BMI measured at the time of enrollment), and weight gain in adulthood with the biomarkers. The concentrations of the biomarkers were incorporated in the model after log transformation. The average age of the 442 participants was 49 (45, 54) years old, the average early adulthood BMI and adulthood BMI were 21.47 (19.56, 23.11) and 24.10 (22.59, 25.97) kg/m 2, respectively, and the average weight gain in adulthood was 6.60 (2.00, 11.00) kg. Adulthood BMI was negatively associated with adiponectin level ( β=-0.026, 95% CI: -0.045--0.008, P=0.006), and positively associated with C-reactive protein level ( β=0.095, 95% CI: 0.054-0.137, P<0.001) and leptin receptor level ( β=0.090, 95% CI: 0.063-0.117, P<0.001). No association was found between adulthood BMI and resistin levels or between adulthood BMI and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 levels. BMI in early adulthood was found to be negatively associated with only insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 levels ( β=-0.039, 95% CI: -0.068--0.010, P=0.009). Further analysis of adulthood weight gain after the age of 20 revealed that average annual weight gain in adulthood was negatively associated with adiponectin levels and positively associated with 4 other biomarkers. Furthermore, compared with those of women whose weight remained stable, the adiponectin level of women whose weight gain in adulthood exceeded 5.00 kg was much lower ( β=-0.185, 95% CI: -0.320--0.049, P=0.008), while their insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 ( β=0.389, 95% CI: 0.183-0.594, P<0.001) and leptin receptor ( β=0.245, 95% CI: 0.048-0.442, P=0.015) levels were higher. Weight gain in adulthood is strongly associated with the changes in obesity-related breast cancer risk biomarkers. Women should maintain a stable weight throughout adulthood and it is preferred that their weight gain should not exceed 5.00 kg.

Participation, Barriers, and Facilitators of Cancer Screening Among LGBTQ+ Populations: A Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT Compared with cisgender and heterosexual individuals, members of the LGBTQ+ community experience worse health outcomes. This is due to a combination of structural inequities and life experiences, including higher rates of mental illness and suicidality, sexually transmitted infections, and certain cancers. Men who have sex with men are at higher risk of anal cancer, and lesbian and bisexual women are often diagnosed with breast cancer at younger ages than heterosexual women partly due to lower parity and higher bodyweight. Despite these increased risks, some evidence shows the LGBTQ+ population is less likely to participate in early detection and cancer screening programs; however, the etiology of this is unknown. This review aims to summarize the current literature on cancer screening uptake in the LGBTQ+ population, including barriers and facilitators associated with screening participation. Studies published between January 2001 and April 2022 involving individuals identified as a gender or sexual minority that assessed participation in and/or facilitators and barriers to a cancer screening procedure were included. Barriers and facilitators identified in quantitative studies were reported on the individual-, provider-, and administrative/system-level scale. A total of 50 publications were included, 38 of which were quantitative, 10 were qualitative, and 2 used mixed methods. Among 16 relevant studies, considerable variation was identified when analyzing whether sexual minority women had lower participation in cervical cancer screening programs. Among 15 studies assessing the participation of sexual minority women compared with heterosexual women in breast cancer screening, 5 studies found no difference, whereas the remainder suggested lower rates of screening among sexual minority women. Fewer studies assessed screening among sexual minority men; however, sexual minority men were more likely to report anal cancer screening than heterosexual men. Cervical cancer screening participation among transgender men and gender diverse participants was lower than cisgender participants in almost all studies. Of 9 studies reporting breast cancer screening among gender diverse or transgender individuals, 5 found lower participation among transgender or gender diverse individuals compared with cisgender women. One study identified greater odds of up-to-date mammography among transgender men compared with cisgender women. The most common individual-level barriers to screening are related to knowledge of the screening tests themselves, including screening guidelines, procedures, pain, embarrassment, and a fear of results. One of the strongest correlates in studies was perceived discrimination from health care providers, which often resulted in lack of disclosure of sexual orientation or gender identity. Provider-level factors mostly included provider communication and relationship with the patient, and patients preferred providers experienced with LGBTQ+ clients and that used sexuality-inclusive language. Having open communication about sexual orientation and gender identity was a positive facilitator for all patients. System-level barriers included inclusive documentation and physical environments in health care. This review highlights key disparities including the lower screening rates among transgender patients in all categories and lower screening rates for cervical cancer and mammography among sexual minority women. It also highlights a significant need for representative data on all LGBTQ+ populations.

Breast cancer screening and diagnosis in older adults women in Brazil: why it is time to reconsider the recommendations.

Breast cancer screening in women of 70 years of age or older remains controversial due to a lack of studies that include women of this age. This ecological study evaluated data from the Brazilian National Health Service (SUS) on breast cancer screening and staging in this age group compared to 50-69-year olds, for Brazil as a whole and for its geographical regions, between 2013 and 2019. A secondary database was obtained from the outpatient data system of the SUS's Informatics Department, the Brazil Oncology Panel, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the Supplementary Health Agency and the Online Mortality Atlas. There was a marked reduction in screening in women ≥70 years of age (annual percent change [APC] -3.5; p < 0.001) compared to those of 50-69 years of age (APC-2.2; p = 0.010). There was a trend towards an increase in clinical staging, with a greater occurrence of stages III and IV in the ≥70 group (44.3%) compared to the women of 50-69 years of age (40.8%; p < 0.001). Considering the increasing age of the Brazilian population and the heterogeneity among older adults women, screening for the over-70s within the SUS merits greater debate insofar as the implementation of public policies is concerned.

Factors Influencing Iranian Women's Participation in Breast Cancer Screening Programs: A Systematic Review

Background: Breast cancer screening programs are one of the most important methods for the early detection of breast cancer in women. Several studies have been conducted to identify factors affecting breast cancer screening behaviors among Iranian women. This study is conducted to systematically review the factors influencing women’s participation in breast cancer screening programs in Iran.&#x0D; Methods: Papers were collected by using the keywords breast, mammary, screening, early detection, diagnosis*, examination, testing, and Iran from various English-language databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and databases in Persian language including SID and Magiran. The search was limited to the title and abstract of papers published between January 1, 2000, and May 1, 2021. A narrative synthesis was performed to summarize findings of the obtained papers.&#x0D; Results: In this study, 1345 papers were initially found and, after screening the title, abstract, and full-text, 39 papers were selected. Most of them were cross-sectional (n= 28). Results indicated that socioeconomic factors, individual characteristics, recommendation of health workers, knowledge, Islamic beliefs, support by family, and activities of the Iranian government are frequently mentioned as contributing factors and can be applied to increase participation of Iranian women in breast cancer screening.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results demonstrate that lack of knowledge and a positive attitude towards breast cancer screening is a major problem regarding Iranian women's non-participation in the screening programs. Therefore, the need for regular implementation of the national screening program in the country, providing appropriate educational methods to increase women's awareness, removing barriers and improving women's access to health care providers should be the priorities of the Iranian health system to prevent breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Screening for Women at Higher-Than-Average Risk: Updated Recommendations From the ACR

Early detection decreases breast cancer death. The ACR recommends annual screening beginning at age 40 for women of average risk and earlier and/or more intensive screening for women at higher-than-average risk. For most women at higher-than-average risk, the supplemental screening method of choice is breast MRI. Women with genetics-based increased risk, those with a calculated lifetime risk of 20% or more, and those exposed to chest radiation at young ages are recommended to undergo MRI surveillance starting at ages 25 to 30 and annual mammography (with a variable starting age between 25 and 40, depending on the type of risk). Mutation carriers can delay mammographic screening until age 40 if annual screening breast MRI is performed as recommended. Women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50 or with personal histories of breast cancer and dense breasts should undergo annual supplemental breast MRI. Others with personal histories, and those with atypia at biopsy, should strongly consider MRI screening, especially if other risk factors are present. For women with dense breasts who desire supplemental screening, breast MRI is recommended. For those who qualify for but cannot undergo breast MRI, contrast-enhanced mammography or ultrasound could be considered. All women should undergo risk assessment by age 25, especially Black women and women of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, so that those at higher-than-average risk can be identified and appropriate screening initiated.

Mammography in combination with breast ultrasonography versus mammography for breast cancer screening in women at average risk.

Mammography in combination with breast ultrasonography versus mammography for breast cancer screening in women at average risk.