Mammography Screening Program Research Articles

Abstract P5-17-06: Prognostic value of method of detection in primary pure DCIS

Abstract Background Population-based mammographic screening programs have led to a substantial increase in incidence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We assessed whether the method of detection provides prognostic information among women with DCIS detected through the Dutch screening program (screen-detected DCIS) and those with DCIS not detected within the national screening program (non-screen-detected DCIS). This could have impact on the treatment strategy of screen-detected DCIS as compared to symptomatic DCIS. Methods We studied a population-based retrospective cohort comprising 7,106 women aged 49-76 years with primary pure DCIS, who were treated by mastectomy or breast conserving surgery with or without radiotherapy between 1989 and 2004 in the Netherlands. Risk of subsequent ipsilateral and contralateral invasive breast cancer and overall survival among women with screen-detected (n=4,905) and non-screen-detected (n=2,201) DCIS were compared using Cox regression, adjusting for treatment (time-dependent), age (time-scale), diagnosis period and follow-up duration. Because of gradual implementation of the screening program in the Netherlands, we defined two periods based on year of DCIS diagnosis: 1989-1998 (gradual implementation of screening) and 1999-2004 (full coverage of screening). Results With a median follow-up of 10.5 years (interquartile range 7.7-14.0 years) 366 ipsilateral (screen-detected DCIS n=234, non-screen-detected DCIS n=132) and 380 contralateral (screen-detected DCIS n=245, non-screen-detected DCIS n=135) invasive breast cancers were diagnosed, and 1,088 of 7,106 women died (screen-detected DCIS n=603, non-screen-detected DCIS n=485). From 1989 to 2004 the number of non-screen-detected DCIS remained stable (mean 140, range 110-187 per year), whereas the number of screen-detected primary pure DCIS increased from 8 in 1989 to 596 in 2004. Ipsilateral invasive breast cancer risk was lower for screen-detected DCIS compared to DCIS not detected within the national screening program, irrespective of DCIS treatment, period of diagnosis, and follow-up duration (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.92, p < 0.01). The prognostic value of method of detection was similar across categories of treatment, period of diagnosis, and follow-up duration. The risk of contralateral invasive breast cancer did not differ between screen-detected DCIS and non-screen-detected DCIS (adjusted HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.71-1.11, p = 0.3) and neither did all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.79-1.04, p = 0.2). Conclusion Women with primary pure DCIS detected through the Dutch screening program had lower risk of subsequent ipsilateral invasive breast cancer, irrespective of DCIS treatment, compared to women whose DCIS was not detected within the national screening program. However, the magnitude of this risk difference does not warrant a different treatment strategy of screen-detected DCIS as compared to non-screen-detected DCIS. Having a screen-detected DCIS was not associated with risk of subsequent contralateral invasive breast cancer and all-cause mortality. Citation Format: Elshof LE, Schaapveld M, Schmidt MK, van Leeuwen FE, Rutgers EJTh, Wesseling J. Prognostic value of method of detection in primary pure DCIS. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-17-06.

Abstract P5-13-07: An investigator-initiated registry trial of simple oral therapy for low risk breast cancer

Abstract Background: Across multiple studies performed in several countries with widely instituted screening mammography programs at different intervals between exams, up to 19% of breast cancer identified is in patients whose disease would otherwise go undetected and not have caused any ill effect if left untreated. Recent advances in pathologic and multigene assays have demonstrated promise to better identify low risk breast cancer and appropriately tailor treatments. Nonetheless, most women who may have such low-risk, estrogen receptor expressing lesions continue to be offered only an aggressive treatment paradigm. This most commonly includes surgery and lymph node evaluation and, in the case of breast conservation, breast irradiation following surgery, with the option of endocrine therapy for 5-10 years. Trial design: We propose a multi-center US registry study of post-menopausal, female breast cancer patients age 60 and older who will be managed 5 years with oral endocrine therapy for mammographically screen-detected, node-negative, unifocal invasive disease with low clinical grade, high estrogen/progesterone receptor expression, negative Her2 expression, Ki67 rate <20%, and low-risk multigene expression analysis with Mammaprint Breast Cancer Recurrence Assay. Target lesions will be confirmed with a pre-treatment bilateral breast MRI and imaged routinely with standard mammography or ultrasound at 3-month intervals during months 1-36 and at 6-month intervals during months 37-60 to assess for disease response. Enrolled patients will have an ECOG performance status of 0-2. Medication history will be documented at routine follow-up visits. Our primary objective will be to determine the frequency of conversion from a low-toxicity approach with oral endocrine therapy to conventional care with surgery +/- radiation therapy as a result of progression of disease or patient/provider choice. Progression of disease will be quantified objectively as >20% growth of the target lesion as compared to baseline in imaging measurements. After 5 years of endocrine therapy sans disease progression, patients may elect to continue or stop treatment or convert to standard care. Statistical methods: We will determine the conversion rate from oral therapy for any cause to conventional management (compliance). Compared to the most pessimistic assumed true-rate for compliance of 0.5, we predict >90% power to detect a decrease of 0.1 in outcomes with an alpha of 5% (corresponds to a 95% Confidence Interval). Using descriptive statistics, we will also quantify for disease responses and progression-free survival. Our sample size will be ample for multiple sub-analyses including measurement of differences emanating from tertiary care versus local oncologic management, advanced imaging outcomes (if performed on any subset of patients), effect of type of endocrine therapy type (SERM vs AI), and effect of age and/or comorbidity severity interaction. Accrual: Clinic sites with large patient cohorts are now being selected nationwide to enroll and manage patients' disease with endocrine treatment only. We will select up to 20 sites and enroll 300 patients with low-risk disease. Citation Format: Gadi VK, Preusse C, Calhoun KE, Kim J, Linden HM, Rendi M, Etzioni RB, Gooley T, Lyman G, Stork L, van der Baan B, Barth N, Rahbar H. An investigator-initiated registry trial of simple oral therapy for low risk breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-07.

Abstract P6-02-11: When needles are needed

Abstract Background Women with positive screening mammograms but negative at assessment (false-positive) are referred back to routine screening assuming that they have an average risk of breast cancer. However in a long-term follow-up of women with false-positive screening mammography we found that these women had in fact an excess risk of breast cancer later in life; RR=1.67(von Euler-Chelpin et al, JNCI 2012). This finding has later been supported by Castells et al.(Cancer Epidemiol, 2013). Furthermore, we studied the breast cancer cases in false-positive women and found that 26% of the cases were misclassified and were in fact true positives. However, even correction for misclassification, the false-positive women in our study remained at an excess breast cancer risk. At the same time, it was clear that, in the later periods of our study, when more modern techniques were used, the rate of misclassification decreased (von Euler-Chelpin et al, Cancer Epidemiol., 2014). Over time there have been changes both in the imaging and biopsy techniques. We used data from an organised screening programme in Denmark. Since its start in 1991, needle biopsies have been performed on all palpable solid lesions and on all uncertain, suspicious or malignant findings. In the very beginning fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was used, later to be replaced by needle core biopsies in the majority of cases. Since 2002, suspicious micro-calcifications and impalpable mammographic findings not found by ultrasound have been examined using stereotactic needle core biopsy and later with vacuum-assisted breast biopsy as a replacement for surgical biopsy. To have a needle breast biopsy taken is a psychological burden on the woman. To minimize the harms and maximize the benefits is at the core of developing medical care. We therefore mapped the use of needle biopsies over time in a long-standing, organised screening programme. Method: We used data from the population-based screening mammography program in Copenhagen, Denmark. The programme has a database including personal records on demographic data, date of invitation, data of screening, and test results,1998-2013. Data from the Mammography Register were linked to the Danish Pathology Register (for biopsy procedures). Results: A total of 208 500 screens were included in the study. The rate of recall for assessment ranged between 1.7-3.2% of screened women with a mean of 2.4. The false-positive rate ranged between 1.0-2.5% with a mean of 1.6%. In 1998, 56% of all recalled women had a biopsy taken, which by 2013 had risen to 74% (using two-year smoothing). In proportion of all screens, the biopsy rate was 1.9% in 1998/99 which then fell to 0.7% in 2005/06 and the rose again 2.0% in 2012/13. In 1998, 59% of the biopsies were fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) which by 2013 was only used in 11% of the cases, and replaced by core biopsies, ultrasound or stereotactic guided. Conclusion While the recall rate, as well as the false-positive rate, has been fairly stable during the study period the use of needle core biopsies has had a u-shaped development and has intensified in the later years. Citation Format: von Euler-Chelpin M, Vejborg I, Lænkholm A-V, Guleria S, Peterkin A, Lynge E. When needles are needed. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-02-11.

Abstract PR09: Ovarian cancer prevention: is it time for population screening for BRCA mutations?

Abstract The traditional model of familial ovarian cancer practice involves ascertaining high-risk individuals based on family history. However, most individuals who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will not have a family history of ovarian or other cancer in a close relative. Moving germline testing from the familial cancer center to the population will result in many essentially unanticipated findings of great significance in regards to the risk of ovarian cancer in healthy relatives. To date there have been no large studies that have directly measured the frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in a cancer-free general population. As a first step toward population based BRCA1 or BRCA2 screening, we sequenced the entire coding region of these genes in 1,997 cancer-free Australian women recruited from the lifepool study (www.lifepool.org) which is a cohort of women attending the Australian population based mammographic screening program. Sequencing data were filtered for known pathogenic or novel loss of function mutations. Thirteen individuals were identified with pathogenic mutations in either BRCA1 (4 mutations) or BRCA2 (9 mutations), which is consistent with previous indirect estimates for Caucasian populations but to our knowledge this is the largest direct assessment of their prevalence. Interestingly, the self-reported cancer family history of the majority of the 13 mutation positive women was unremarkable. All 13 women subsequently accepted an invitation to attend a Familial Cancer Centre and then proceeded to formal clinical genetic testing. A population carrier frequency of 0.65% for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, coupled with the rapidly declining costs of gene panel sequencing, suggests that population-based screening for these genes will be a highly cost effective way of reducing the incidence of ovarian (and breast) cancer through preventative strategies. Citation Format: Ian G. Campbell, Gillian Mitchell, Alison Trainer, Paul James, Ella Thompson. Ovarian cancer prevention: is it time for population screening for BRCA mutations? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research: Exploiting Vulnerabilities; Oct 17-20, 2015; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(2 Suppl):Abstract nr PR09.

Increased Incidence of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women with High Body Mass Index at the Modena Screening Program.

PurposeWe conducted a study to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of breast cancer (BC) and outcome in a population of 14,684 women aged 55 to 69 years eligible to participate in the Mammography Screening Program (MSP) in the Province of Modena, Italy.MethodsThe study population was drawn from women who underwent mammography screening between 2004 and 2006 in the Province of Modena. Women were subdivided into obese, overweight, and normal-weight categories according to BMI and followed until July 31, 2010, to evaluate the BC incidence. The clinicopathological characteristics of BC were also evaluated in different groups of patients classified according to BMI. After BC diagnosis, patients were followed for a median period of 65 (range, 2–104) months. Second events (recurrences and second tumors) were recorded, and the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was calculated.ResultsAfter a period of 73 months, 366 cases of BC were diagnosed. Compared with normal-weight women, obese women had a significantly higher incidence of BC (relative risk [RR], 1.32; p=0.040) (RR=1), larger tumors (27% of tumors were larger than T2 size), and more nodal involvement (38.5% of tumors were node-positive). Furthermore, a significantly higher rate of total events was seen in obese women compared with overweight and normal-weight patients, respectively (17.9% vs. 11.4% vs. 10.8%, p=0.032). The 5-year EFS was 89.0%, 89.0%, and 80.0% for normal-weight, overweight, and obese patients, respectively.ConclusionWe observed a significantly higher risk of BC in obese women among those eligible to participate in the MSP in the Province of Modena. Finally, obese women had more second events and poorer EFS compared to nono bese women.

Oppmøte i Mammografiprogrammet

A high rate of attendance among women invited to the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Programme (NBCSP) is essential to achieve optimal effect, including reduction in breast cancer mortality. This article describes attendance in the programme by county, period and women’s age at invitation. All women in the age group 50 – 69 years who are registered in the National Population Register are invited to attend the NBCSP every second year. In the study period 2007 – 2014, 2 142 369 invitations were sent, and 1 600 293 screening examinations were performed for 710 169 women. Use of the data is pursuant to the Cancer Registry Regulations. Altogether 84 % of the women invited attended at least once in the study period. The average attendance rate per screening round was 75 %. In Rogaland, Nordland and Sogn og Fjordane counties more than 80 % attended, while in Oslo the figure was 62 %. The highest rate of attendance recorded was for women in the age group 62 – 67 years. The attendance in the prior screening round was of influence for reattendance. The mammography screening programme has a high level of acceptance among women in the target group. Possible reasons for the variation in attendance among the county districts should be identified.

The Development of Breast Cancer Screening in Qatar (January 2008 – April 2015)

Qatar has one of the highest age-adjusted breast cancer incidences in the Arab world. Although this is much lower than the incidence in the West. Breast cancer incidence in Qatar was 45 per 100,000 in 2003-2007. 53 per 100,000 in 2008-2011. These higher incidence rates in Qatar are mainly due to the growing population. The prevalent age group, between both Qatari and non-Qatari patients, was 40-50 years old. This suggests that the age-specific incidence of breast cancer in Qatari women is shifting more to a pattern usually not seen in Western nations where median age at diagnosis is 61 years of age, moreover the diagnosis is often at advanced stages of breast cancer. These factors, together with reconfirmed evidence of mortality benefit from breast cancer screening trials, led to establishment the first hospital based mammographic breast cancer screening program in Qatar. It uses a distributed model of mammography service. The program accepts eligible asymptomatic women at age between 40-69 years and was launched in 2008. It adopted international standards of breast screening practice and breast cancer detection.

3-D tissue modelling and virtual pathology as new approaches to study ductal carcinoma in situ.

Widespread screening mammography programmes mean that ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a pre-invasive breast lesion, is now more frequently diagnosed. However, not all diagnosed DCIS lesions progress to invasive breast cancer, which presents a dilemma for clinicians. As such, there is much interest in studying DCIS in the laboratory, in order to help understand more about its biology and determine the characteristics of those that progress to invasion. Greater knowledge would lead to targeted and better DCIS treatment. Here, we outline some of the models available to study DCIS, with a particular focus on animal-free systems.

Small-area spatio-temporal analyses of participation rates in the mammography screening program in the city of Dortmund (NW Germany).

BackgroundThe population-based mammography screening program (MSP) was implemented by the end of 2005 in Germany, and all women between 50 and 69 years are actively invited to a free biennial screening examination. However, despite the expected benefits, the overall participation rates range only between 50 and 55 %. There is also increasing evidence that belonging to a vulnerable population, such as ethnic minorities or low income groups, is associated with a decreased likelihood of participating in screening programs. This study aimed to analyze in more detail the intra-urban variation of MSP uptake at the neighborhood level (i.e. statistical districts) for the city of Dortmund in northwest Germany and to identify demographic and socioeconomic risk factors that contribute to non-response to screening invitations.MethodsThe numbers of participants by statistical district were aggregated over the three periods 2007/2008, 2009/2010, and 2011/2012. Participation rates were calculated as numbers of participants per female resident population averaged over each 2-year period. Bayesian hierarchical spatial models extended with a temporal and spatio-temporal interaction effect were used to analyze the participation rates applying integrated nested Laplace approximations (INLA). The model included explanatory covariates taken from the atlas of social structure of Dortmund.ResultsGenerally, participation rates rose for all districts over the time periods. However, participation was persistently lowest in the inner city of Dortmund. Multivariable regression analysis showed that migrant status and long-term unemployment were associated with significant increases of non-attendance in the MSP.ConclusionLow income groups and immigrant populations are clustered in the inner city of Dortmund and the observed spatial pattern of persistently low participation in the city center is likely linked to the underlying socioeconomic gradient. This corresponds with the findings of the ecological regression analysis manifesting socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods as risk factors for low attendance in the MSP. Spatio-temporal surveillance of participation in cancer screening programs may be used to identify spatial inequalities in screening uptake and plan spatially focused interventions.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated by mastectomy, or local excision with or without radiotherapy: A monocentric, retrospective study of 608 women

ObjectivesSince mammographic screening programmes, the proportion of DCIS has dramatically increased. Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after local excision (LE) has become a solid option for DCIS since 4 randomised trials have proven a decrease in local relapse (LR), though failing to prove a benefit on mortality rate. DCIS is a heterogeneous disease and it is unclear whether all patients uniformly benefit from radiotherapy. We report a descriptive analysis including all types of treatment. Materials and methodsOur retrospective cohort describes 608 women treated for DCIS in our centre between 1983 and 2013. Mastectomy was recommended before 1992, or for multifocal or >3 cm DCIS. LE alone was an option for DCIS ≤10 mm, with low or intermediate grade, and clear margins (≥2 mm). LE + RT was recommended for all other cases. ResultsThe median follow-up time was 6.7 years. Treatment consisted in mastectomy for 252 women, LE + RT for 269 and LE for 86. The major prognosis factor for LR rate was the type of treatment: LE + RT or LE was associated with a higher LR-rate than those treated by mastectomy (HR respectively 2.06; 95%CI 1.33–3.19; p = 0.001 and 2.12; 95%CI 1.20–3.65; p = 0.007). In our selected population, women treated by LE + RT versus LE showed no significant differences in LR (HR 0.97; 95%CI 0.61–1.7; p = 0.91).The overall survival rate was 99.7% after ten years, with no differences between the treatment groups. ConclusionAlthough retrospective, our monocentric study suggests that LE alone could be an option for DCIS with good prognosis factors. Confirmation by larger randomised studies is needed.

Evaluation of a mammography screening program within the population-based Vorarlberg Health Monitoring & Prevention Program (VHM&PP)

ObjectivesTo describe the mammography screening program from 1989 to 2005 within a population-based prevention program in Austria and to appraise it according to recommended quality indicators. Material and methodFrom 01.01.1989 all women aged 40 years or older participating in the Vorarlberg Health Monitoring & Prevention Program (VHM&PP) was offered to undergo additionally a “screening mammography”. Passive follow-up has been performed by record linkages with the Vorarlberg cancer registry and mortality statistics for information on outcome variables. Interval cancer rates have been estimated and the survival after breast cancer has been calculated by life table technique by examination period and age groups (40–49 years, 50–69 years). ResultsBetween 1989 and 2005 50,100 women aged 40 to 69 years participated in the program, of which 123,652 mammogram results have been collected. In the target population the participation rate was 65.1%. During median follow-up time 13.5 years and 633,342 person-years overall 665 invasive cancer and 87 ductal carcinoma in situ (11.6%) cases have been identified. Between 1996 and 2004 the detection rates were 239.9 per 100.000 among women aged 40–49 years and 543.2 per 100,000 among women aged 50–69 years. The rates for interval cancers were 160.4 and 277.4 per 100 000 negative screens, respectively. During median follow-up of 13.5 years 165 deaths occurred with no difference in survival between patients with interval and screen detected cancers. ConclusionA mammography screening program has been performed between 1989 and 2005 in Vorarlberg. Till 2005 most quality indicators improved and met the EU-recommendations suggesting that alternative approaches to organized mammography screening based on routine data should be explored.

Does the Neighborhood Area of Residence Influence Non-Attendance in an Urban Mammography Screening Program? A Multilevel Study in a Swedish City.

Background and aimThe public health impact of population-based mammography screening programs depends on high participation rates. Thus, monitoring participation rates, as well as understanding and considering the factors influencing attendance, is important. With the goal to acquire information on the appropriate level of intervention for increasing screening participation our study aimed to (1) examine whether, over and above individual factors, the neighborhood of residence influences a woman’s mammography non-attendance, and (2) evaluate, whether knowing a woman’s neighborhood of residence would be sufficient to predict non-attendance.MethodsWe analyze all women invited to mammography screening in 2005–09, residing in the city of Malmö, Sweden. Information regarding mammography screening attendance was linked to data on area of residence, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics available from Statistics Sweden. The influence of individual and neighborhood factors was assessed by multilevel logistic regression analysis with 29,901 women nested within 212 neighborhoods.ResultsThe prevalence of non-attendance among women was 18.3%. After adjusting for individual characteristics, the prevalence in the 212 neighborhoods was 3.6%. Neighborhood of residence had little influence on non-attendance. The multilevel analysis indicates that 8.4% of the total individual differences in the propensity of non-attendance were at the neighborhood level. However, when adjusting for specific individual characteristics this general contextual effect decreased to 1.8%. This minor effect was explained by the sociodemographic characteristic of the neighborhoods. The discriminatory accuracy of classifying women according to their non-attendance was 0.747 when considering only individual level variables, and 0.760 after including neighborhood level as a random effect.ConclusionOur results suggest that neighborhoods of residence in Malmö, Sweden (as defined by small-area market statistics (SAMS) areas) do not condition women’s participation in population based mammography screening. Thus, interventions should be directed to the whole city and target women with a higher risk of non-attendance.

A modified sentinel node and occult lesion localization (SNOLL) technique in non-palpable breast cancer: a pilot study

BackgroundThe spread of mammographic screening programs has allowed an increasing amount of early breast cancer diagnosis. A modern approach to non-palpable breast lesions requires an accurate intraoperative localization, in order to achieve a complete surgical resection. In addiction, the assessment of lymph node status is mandatory as it represents a major prognostic factor in these patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability of a modified technical approach using a single nanocolloidal radiotracer to localize both sentinel node and breast occult lesion.MethodsTwenty-five patients with a single non-palpable breast lesions and clinically negative axilla were enrolled. In the same day of surgery, patients underwent intratumoral and peritumoral administration of 99mTc-labeled nanocolloid tracer under sonographic guidance. A lymphoscintigraphy was performed to localize the sentinel lymph node and its cutaneous projection was marked on the skin in order to guide the surgeon to an optimal incision. During surgery an hand-held gamma-detection probe was used to select the best surgical access route and to guide localization of both occult breast lesion and sentinel lymph node. After specimen excision, the surgical field was checked with the gamma-probe to verify the absence of residual sources of significant radioactivity, thereby ensuring a radical treatment in a single surgical session and minimizing normal tissue excision.ResultsBoth targeted breast lesion and sentinel lymph node were localized and removed at the first attempt in every patients and histopathological diagnosis of malignancy was confirmed in 25/26 samples. Non-palpable lesions were included within the surgical margins in all patients and in all samples surgical margins were free from neoplastic infiltration thus avoiding any further reintervention. Only two patients showed metastatic involvement of sentinel lymph node.ConclusionsThe modified sentinel node and occult lesion localization (SNOLL) technique performed with a single injection of nanocolloidal radiotracer has shown an excellent intraoperative identification rate of both non-palpable lesion and sentinel lymph node. This procedure offers, as opposed to standard techniques, an accurate, simple and reliable approach to the management of non-palpable breast cancer.

Implementation and equity trends in twenty-five years of European mammography screening programmes

Implementation and equity trends in twenty-five years of European mammography screening programmes

Abstract IA23: Steps to address the profound disparity in access to genetic cancer risk assessment in Mexico: Documenting hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and the beginning of a prevention program

Abstract IA23: Steps to address the profound disparity in access to genetic cancer risk assessment in Mexico: Documenting hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and the beginning of a prevention program

Screening for cancer

A low birth rate in addition to an increasing life expectancy within the context of an aging population characterize the current demographic situation in Germany. Cancer is primarily a disease of old age and the frequency increases with an expanding older population. In 2013, cancer was the second most common cause of death in Germany. With the aid of screening examinations cancer should be detected in the early stages so that suitable therapeutic measures can be initiated. In Germany, screening is currently offered for breast, cervical, colorectal, skin and prostate cancer and is covered by the statutory health insurance. Mammography screening is the only organized screening program in Germany. Eligible women are regularly invited to attend this program, which is not the case for the other types of cancer screening. In accordance with the Cancer Screening and Registry Act (KFRG) of 2013, colorectal and cervical cancer screening will also be implemented as organized screening programs in the future. As is the case in the mammography screening program, those eligible to participate will receive an invitation letter and the new programs are to be continually monitored, documented and evaluated.

A method for calculating effective lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancer from screening mammography

PurposeTo propose a method for evaluating the effective lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancer from screening mammography and to present initial data for the UK National Breast Screening Programme. Material and methodsThe imaging was undertaken using a Hologic Selenia full field digital mammographic unit. The proposed method utilises an ATOM phantom containing thermoluminescent dosimeters and a perspex-polyethylene breast phantom to measure organ doses during a standard four view screening mammogram. Effective dose was calculated and effective risk was modelled for a range of client ages. The total lifetime effective risk was then calculated for the UK national screening programme. Calculation of effective risk includes the radiation dose to examined and contralateral breasts in addition to other body organs; this is an advantage over the mean glandular dose. ResultsThe contralateral breast, thyroid, thymus, brain, lung, salivary glands, and bone marrow all receive more than 1 μGy radiation dose during screening mammography. A major difference exists for total effective lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancer between clients with average and high breast cancer risk. Differences are attributed to the commencement age of screening and time interval between screens. ConclusionThis study proposes a method to evaluate effective lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancer from screening mammography in order to compare different mammography screening programmes.

Does a decision aid improve informed choice in mammography screening? Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundWhen invited for the first time at age 50, most women in Germany have to decide whether they wish to participate in the German mammography screening programme. For ethical reasons, screening decisions should be informed choices, but this is rarely the case with mammography screening. Decision aids are interventions with the potential to support informed choice by improving the following factors: knowledge, clarity of personal attitude, and implementation of an intention. Currently, no systematically evaluated decision aid exists for the German mammography screening programme. Therefore, the objective of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the effectiveness of a decision aid for first-time mammography screening programme invitees.Methods/DesignWe have developed a decision aid for women invited to the mammography screening programme for the first time based on the criteria of the International Patient Decision Aids Standards Collaboration. The effectiveness of the decision aid will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up. We will invite 7400 women aged 50 years from the district of Westfalen-Lippe, Germany, to participate. This sample will be drawn from registration office data. The primary outcome will be informed choice. The secondary outcomes will be the components of informed choice (knowledge, attitude, decision/implementation). Decisional conflict, decision regret, eHealth literacy, health behaviours, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, invitation status, and demographic variables will be assessed. Data will be collected online at baseline, post-intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up. Participants will be randomized to receive either the decision aid or usual care (invitation and standard leaflet of the mammography screening programme).DiscussionThis paper describes the evaluation of a decision aid for the German mammography screening programme in a randomized controlled trial. If the decision aid proves to be an effective tool to enhance the rate of informed choice, it will be made accessible to the public and the use of this decision aid for first-time invitees will be recommended. The long-term effect could be an improvement in informed choices in women invited to the mammography screening programme.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register DRKS00005176.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12905-015-0210-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Understanding recall rates in screening mammography: A conceptual framework review of the literature

Recall rates are one of the performance measures used to evaluate the effectiveness of mammography screening programs. There is conflicting evidence regarding the link between recall rates and cancer detection rates and a variety of differing recall rates exist between countries and readers. This variability in recall rates may have important clinical and economic implications such as unnecessary follow-up procedures, additional costs to the health care system and psychological effects for the women themselves associated with false-positive mammograms results. In order to reduce the impact of false positive recall rates in screening mammography, it is essential for all multidisciplinary health care providers, especially those in medical imaging, to fully understand the factors that may contribute and affect recall rates. The multifactorial nature of recall rates is explored in this paper through the construction of a conceptual map based on a review of the current literature.

Determinants of mammography screening participation among Turkish immigrant women in Germany--a qualitative study reflecting key informants' and women's perspectives.

Mammography screening programmes aiming to reduce mortality from breast cancer are implemented in most European countries. Immigrant women are less likely to participate than women of the respective autochthonous populations in several European countries but not in Germany. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 key informants and 10 Turkish immigrant women aged 50-69 years to analyse the factors influencing their screening participation in Germany. Interviews were analysed using summarising content analysis. The Theory of Planned Behaviour was used for structuring the results. Key informants stated poor German language skills and insufficient knowledge about breast cancer and screening as factors influencing screening participation. Immigrant women demonstrated basic knowledge about screening, but their attitudes towards screening varied. Information from the invitation letter of the screening programme was often filtered by family members. Key informants tended to emphasise barriers and system-related factors while the Turkish women focused more on factors on the individual level. Contrasting both perspectives is helpful for health professionals to critically assess their own views. Measures to improve screening participation need to address not only barriers but also take women's attitudes and norms into account, thus helping women to make an informed decision.