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Carrie Klabunde

Publications and source records attributed to Carrie Klabunde.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Methodological issues in international comparison of interval breast cancers.

International comparisons of interval cancers (IC) are important to better understand the relationship between programmes' performance and screening practices. In this respect, differences in (i) definition, (ii) identification and (iii) quantification of IC have received little attention. To examine these 3 comparability issues and activities involving IC, an assessment was conducted among member countries of the International Breast Cancer Screening Network, and the impact of accuracy of identification and quantification practices was estimated using 1996-98 data from the Dutch breast cancer screening programme. Information was obtained from 19 screening programmes in 18 countries, 16 of which acknowledged the coexistence of opportunistic screening. IC data were collected to evaluate performance of the screening programme (100% of programmes) and the radiologists (89%); 53% of programmes had a designated review process for IC. Most programmes (84%) agreed with the European Guidelines definition of IC, but a case situation exercise evidenced substantial discrepancy in classification of cancers that occurred after a positive screen. Completeness of identification of IC appears to contribute most to international variation, and cannot be easily controlled for in methodologically rigorous comparisons. Statistically significant differences of about 4% were measured between quantification methods for IC. An operational definition of IC is proposed to enhance international comparability. Valid comparisons of IC are possible with careful attention to the definition but true differences in IC frequency across screening programmes should exceed 10% to be possibly indicative of real differences between programmes.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Cancer screening practices from National Health Interview Surveys: past, present, and future.

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) has provided data about health behaviors at the national level since 1957. The 1987 and 1992 Cancer Control Supplements to the NHIS, along with other supplemental surveys administered intermittently on self-reported cancer-related behaviors, have contributed to important research and public health purposes. In this article, we reviewed 73 papers published between 1980 and 2001 that used NHIS data, including the first report from the 1998 NHIS, to examine what has been learned from past surveys. Our goal was to facilitate future analyses of recently released data on cancer screening practices from the Cancer Control Supplement to the 2000 NHIS, which is now known as the Cancer Control Module. We categorized the papers according to which of the following three study approaches they used: trends in screening rates, correlates of these rates with factors that may influence screening, and linkages or comparisons of NHIS data with other surveys or sources of information. We summarize knowledge gained in cancer screening for each of these three categories and identify areas that could benefit from more research. We highlight some of the new information available for the first time on the Cancer Control Module of the 2000 NHIS as fresh opportunities for cancer control research. Finally, we describe how the Cancer Control Supplements to the NHIS are integrated with the objectives of and developments in national cancer surveillance research that have emerged from federal planning efforts and collaborations with national partners in cancer surveillance in recent years.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2002

Technical quality control practices in mammography screening programs in 22 countries.

OBJECTIVE: To assess current technical quality control (QC) practices within breast cancer screening or surveillance programs internationally. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The International Breast Cancer Screening Network (IBSN) conducted an extensive survey of quality assurance (QA) activities in developed countries known to have population-based breast cancer screening or surveillance programs in place. Twenty-three countries were sent questionnaires that included items about QA and QC requirements at screening sites, the minimum frequencies of QC test performance, and the personnel responsible for performing QC tests. RESULTS: All 23 countries in the IBSN completed general information on their QA practices. Twenty-two countries responded with complete details on their technical QC practices. The responses indicated a pattern of consistently high-quality control practices among population-based breast cancer screening and surveillance programs. Most programs performed the great majority of QC tests. Variations were observed in the performance frequencies of QC tests and in the personnel responsible for performing QC tests. CONCLUSION: QC practices among population-based breast cancer screening and surveillance programs are highly evolved, with the great majority of responding countries following prescribed QC protocols. Further research is needed on appropriate performance frequencies for mammography QC tests.

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