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Improved cancer detection using computer-aided detection with diagnostic and screening mammography: prospective study of 104 cancers.

OBJECTIVE: This study prospectively evaluated a computer-aided detection (CAD) device used with diagnostic and screening mammography by assessing cancers detected; tumor sizes, histology, and stage; positive predictive value (PPV) of biopsy recommendation; and recall rates before and after CAD introduction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Interpretations of 9,520 consecutive mammograms were recorded without and then with CAD for a 28-month period. Cancer detections based on initial radiologist review and additional detections based on CAD findings were noted. Recall rates, tumor size and histology, and PPV of biopsy recommendation before and after the introduction of CAD were compared. RESULTS: Cancers detected only with CAD assistance were 9.6% of all cancers (10 of 104); screening-detected cancers increased 13.3% with CAD assistance (four in addition to 30 screening-detected cancers). The 95% one-sided confidence boundary using binomial distribution is consistent with at least 5.3% for all cancers and 5.1% for nonpalpable cancers. The greatest impact was on ductal carcinoma in situ, for which CAD increased cancer detection by 14.2% (three added to 21). Similar percentages of cancers were detected only with CAD assistance in both screening (11.4%; 4 of 35) and diagnostic (9.5%; six of 63) studies. Additional cancers were detected using CAD in patients with implants and previous lumpectomy. The additional cancers detected with CAD were smaller (p = 0.01 for all cancers, p = 0.03 for nonpalpable invasive cancer). The screening recall rate increased from 6.2% to 7.8% after CAD, with a decrease in the biopsy rate and a nonsignificant increase in the biopsy PPV from 21.9% to 26.3%. CONCLUSION: CAD resulted in detection of more cancers in screening and diagnostic patients, with an increased recall rate but no deterioration in PPV of biopsy. Additional cancers detected were significantly smaller.

Biopsy↗

Factors influencing the frequency of visits by hypertensive patients to primary care physicians in Winnipeg.

BACKGROUND: As part of a recent project focused on needs-based planning for generalist physicians, the authors documented the variety of practice styles of primary care physicians for managing patients with hypertension. They investigated the validity of various explanations for these different styles and the relative contributions of physician and patient characteristics to the rates at which hypertensive patients contact physicians. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study using regression analyses to simultaneously adjust for the influence of key patient and physician characteristics. Hypertensive patients in Winnipeg were identified using Manitoba physician claims data for fiscal years 1993/94 and 1994/95. Patients were included if they were 25 years of age or more and had at least one physician contact in both 1993/94 and 1994/95 during which hypertension was diagnosed. In addition, the primary care physician had to be the physician that the patient contacted most frequently in 1993/94 and 1994/95 and with whom she or he had at least 2 visits during this period. Only patients of family practitioners whose practice included at least 50 hypertensive patients were included. RESULTS: To control for the effects of large samples and to validate the results, the authors conducted all analyses for half (6282) the sample of hypertensive patients who met the study criteria (12,563). A total of 132 primary care physicians who met the study criteria were identified. The patients made on average 9.3 ambulatory visits to physicians (both general practitioners and specialists) in 1994/95. Those who had more complex medical conditions (i.e., were formally referred to a specialist), those who had 3 or more serious medical problems and those who had been admitted to hospital made more visits to their primary care physician than those without these characteristics. After these and other key patient characteristics were controlled for, a primary care physician's patient recall rate in 1993/94 was strongly related to the number of visits his or her hypertensive patients made to all doctors for any reason in 1994/95. Physicians with high patient recall rates (i.e., who saw their hypertensive patients on average 8 or more times) in 1993/94 also had high recall rates in 1994/95. INTERPRETATION: Because patient characteristics most strongly associated with high visit rates were those reflecting patient illness, policy measures aimed at patients (e.g., user fees and deinsurance) do not appear to be the appropriate policy tool for dealing with high visit rates. Given the influence of a physician's patient recall rate on patient visit patterns, physician profiling and feedback may prove more appropriate.

Adult↗

Mammography screening: an incremental cost effectiveness analysis of two view versus one view procedures in London.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the costs and effects of routine mammography screening by a single mediolateral-oblique view and two views (mediolateral-oblique plus craniocaudal) of each breast. DESIGN: A cost effectiveness analysis of a prospective non-randomised trial comparing one and two view mammography screening was carried out at St Margaret's Hospital, Epping. All women in the study had two view mammography. The mediolateral-oblique view was always the first image read by the radiologist. After reading the films for a clinic session, the same radiologist then went back and read both the mediolateral-oblique and craniocaudal views together. Each set of films was read by two radiologists. The main outcome measures were recall rates, number of cancers detected, screening and assessment costs, and cost effectiveness ratios. SUBJECTS: A total of 26,430 women who attended for breast screening using both one and two view mammography participated. A sample of 132 women attending for assessment provided data on the private costs incurred in attending for assessment. RESULTS: There was a reduction in the recall rate from 9.1% (2404 of 26,430) after one view screening to 6.7% (1760 of 26,430) after two view screening. The results also suggest that for every 10,000 women screened an additional five cancers would be detected earlier with two view screening. The additional health service screening cost associated with two view screening was estimated to be 3.63 pounds: the costs associated with one and two view screening policies were estimated to be 41.49 pounds and 32.99 pounds respectively. Private costs incurred were estimated to be 0.35 pounds per woman screened and 32.75 pounds per woman assessed. Two cost effectiveness ratios were calculated: an incremental health service cost per additional cancer detected of 4129 pounds and an incremental health service plus private cost per additional cancer detected of 2742 pounds. The sensitivity analysis suggested that the results were sensitive to relatively large changes in a number of parameters. These included screening costs, assessment costs, equipment life, and recall rates. CONCLUSIONS: Use of two view screening increased early cancer detection and also costs. The reduction in the recall rate with two views was not sufficiently large to make the cost of two view screening neutral. While these results are not completely generalisable, a framework is provided to allow other centres to estimate the cost effectiveness of two view screening in their locality.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Does litigation influence medical practice? The influence of community radiologists' medical malpractice perceptions and experience on screening mammography.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between radiologists' perception of and experience with medical malpractice and their patient-recall rates in actual community-based clinical settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All study activities were approved by the institutional review boards of the involved institutions, and patient and radiologist informed consent was obtained where necessary. This study was performed in three regions of the United States (Washington, Colorado, and New Hampshire). Radiologists who routinely interpret mammograms completed a mailed survey that included questions on demographic data, practice environment, and medical malpractice. Survey responses were linked to interpretive performance for all screening mammography examinations performed between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2001. The odds of recall were modeled by using logistic regression analysis based on generalized estimating equations that adjust for study region. RESULTS: Of 181 eligible radiologists, 139 (76.8%) returned the survey with full consent. The analysis included 124 radiologists who had interpreted a total of 557 143 screening mammograms. Approximately half (64 of 122 [52.4%]) of the radiologists reported a prior malpractice claim, with 18 (14.8%) reporting mammography-related claims. The majority (n = 51 [81.0%]) of the 63 radiologists who responded to a question regarding the degree of stress caused by a medical malpractice claim described the experience as very or extremely stressful. More than three of every four radiologists (ie, 94 [76.4%] of 123) expressed concern about the impact medical malpractice has on mammography practice, with over half (72 [58.5%] of 123) indicating that their concern moderately to greatly increased the number of their recommendations for breast biopsies. Radiologists' estimates of their future malpractice risk were substantially higher than the actual historical risk. Almost one of every three radiologists (43 of 122 [35.3%]) had considered withdrawing from mammogram interpretation because of malpractice concerns. No significant association was found between recall rates and radiologists' experiences or perceptions of medical malpractice. CONCLUSION: U.S. radiologists are extremely concerned about medical malpractice and report that this concern affects their recall rates and biopsy recommendations. However, medical malpractice experience and concerns were not associated with recall or false-positive rates. Heightened concern of almost all radiologists may be a key reason that recall rates are higher in the United States than in other countries, but this hypothesis requires further study.

Adult↗

Comparison of screening mammography in the United States and the United kingdom.

CONTEXT: Screening mammography differs between the United States and the United Kingdom; a direct comparison may suggest methods to improve the practice. OBJECTIVE: To compare screening mammography performance between the United States and the United Kingdom among similar-aged women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Women aged 50 years or older were identified who underwent 5.5 million mammograms from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1999, within 3 large-scale mammography registries or screening programs: the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC, n = 978 591) and National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP, n = 613 388) in the United States; and the National Health Service Breast Screening Program (NHSBSP, n = 3.94 million) in the United Kingdom. A total of 27 612 women were diagnosed with breast cancer (invasive or ductal carcinoma in situ) within 12 months of screening among the 3 groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recall rates (recommendation for further evaluation including diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, clinical examination, or biopsy) and cancer detection rates were calculated for first and subsequent mammograms, and within 5-year age groups. RESULTS: Recall rates were approximately twice as high in the United States than in the United Kingdom for all age groups; however, cancer rates were similar. Among women aged 50 to 54 years who underwent a first screening mammogram, 14.4% in the BCSC and 12.5% in the NBCCEDP were recalled for further evaluation vs only 7.6% in the NHSBSP. Cancer detection rates per 1000 mammogram screens were 5.8, 5.9, and 6.3, in the BCSC, NBCCEDP, and NHSBSP, respectively. Recall rates were lower for subsequent examinations in all 3 settings but remained twice as high in the United States. A similar percentage of women underwent biopsy in each setting, but rates of percutaneous biopsy were lower and open surgical biopsy higher in the United States. Open surgical biopsies not resulting in a diagnosis of cancer (negative biopsies) were twice as high in the United States than in the United Kingdom. Based on a 10-year period of screening 1000 women aged 50 to 59 years, 477, 433, and 175 women in the BCSC, NBCCEDP, and NHSBSP, respectively, would be recalled; and for women aged 60 to 69 years, 396, 334, and 133 women, respectively. The estimated cancer detection rates per 1000 women aged 50 to 59 years were 24.5, 23.8, and 19.4, respectively, and for women aged 60 to 69 years, 31.5, 26.6, and 27.9, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Recall and negative open surgical biopsy rates are twice as high in US settings than in the United Kingdom but cancer detection rates are similar. Efforts to improve US mammographic screening should target lowering the recall rate without reducing the cancer detection rate.

Aged↗

Improving the informed consent process for surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Obtaining and documenting informed consent is of vital importance to physicians. We developed a procedure-based consent form that facilitates patient discussion and validated this process by surveying the patient regarding elements of the consent process, using an independent evaluator. METHODS: One hundred and twenty consecutive outpatients were evaluated before different neurosurgery procedures. The consent form listed specific diagnoses, procedures, alternatives (eight listed), and risks (22 listed), and each point discussed was checked off by the surgeon. Between 10 and 20 minutes later, each element was questioned by one lay-member of the office staff. A group of patients not at risk for cognitive decline were resurveyed months later. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty (100%) of 120 of patients answered correctly regarding their diagnosis and the planned procedure. Four hundred and twenty-eight alternative treatments were discussed, and 420 (98.1%) of the 428 were recalled correctly. Of 1207 risks that were discussed, 1176 (97.4%) were recalled correctly. When a subset of the patients were reevaluated at a mean of 4.5 months later, all 20 patients correctly recalled their procedure and diagnosis. Of 79 alternatives discussed with patients before surgery, 73 (92.4%) were subsequently recalled. Of 217 risks discussed before surgery, 199 (91.7%) were recalled. Although the immediate or delayed recall rates were high (> 90%), there was a reduction in the recall rate over time (alternatives, P = .007; risks, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: A consent process designed for an individual surgeon's practice was validated and showed high rates of patient recall in the postprocedural period. We think that this method to obtain and document informed consent should be considered for use by physicians.

Consent Forms↗

Properties of human visual memory for block patterns.

Several characteristics of human short-term visual memory (STVM) were specified through a series of experiments, by using block patterns (BPs) of varying complexity and matrix size (n-by-n). For each matrix size, BPs with high and low complexity were formed (i.e. n-by-n-H and n-by-n-L). In experiment I, the characteristics of the acquisition process were examined through a recall task. The recall rate for a single glance (exposure time less than 0.3 s) is more than 90% for 3-by-3 and 4-by-4-L BPs. For 4-by-4-H BPs, an improvement in recall rate was not found even when exposure time was increased to 2.4s. The recall rate for 6-by-6-H, 7-by-7, and 8-by-8 BPs did not change even when the exposure time was increased to 9s. In experiment II, the characteristics of the STVM decay process were examined using a recall task. Though a difference between the 4-by-4-L and 4-by-4-H acquisition rates was found, no difference was found in the forgetting rates. No decay was found for 6-by-6 BPs. Furthermore, the information obtained during a short duration was not forgotten for 4-by-4, and 6-by-6 BPs. It was concluded from these results that: 1) The acquisition rate into STVM depends upon figural complexity. 2) The decay rate does not depend upon figural complexity. 3) The limit of STVM was between 4-by-4-L, and 4-by-4-H BPs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cybernetics↗

Screening mammography with computer-aided detection: prospective study of 12,860 patients in a community breast center.

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the effect of computer-aided detection (CAD) on the interpretation of screening mammograms in a community breast center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 12-month period, 12,860 screening mammograms were interpreted with the assistance of a CAD system. Each mammogram was initially interpreted without the assistance of CAD, followed immediately by a reevaluation of areas marked by the CAD system. Data were recorded to measure the effect of CAD on the recall rate, positive predictive value for biopsy, cancer detection rate, and stage of malignancies at detection. RESULTS: When comparing the radiologist's performance without CAD with that when CAD was used, the authors observed the following: (a) an increase in recall rate from 6.5% to 7.7%, (b) no change in the positive predictive value for biopsy at 38%, (c) a 19.5% increase in the number of cancers detected, and (d) an increase in the proportion of early-stage (0 and I) malignancies detected from 73% to 78%. CONCLUSION: The use of CAD in the interpretation of screening mammograms can increase the detection of early-stage malignancies without undue effect on the recall rate or positive predictive value for biopsy.

Adult↗

M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonism alters sleep without affecting memory consolidation.

Preclinical studies have implicated cholinergic neurotransmission, specifically M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) activation, in sleep-associated memory consolidation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of administering the direct M1 mAChR agonist RS-86 on pre-post sleep memory consolidation. Twenty healthy human participants were tested in a declarative word-list task and a procedural mirror-tracing task. RS-86 significantly reduced rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency and slow wave sleep (SWS) duration in comparison with placebo. Presleep acquisition and postsleep recall rates were within the expected ranges. However, recall rates in both tasks were almost identical for the RS-86 and placebo conditions. These results indicate that selective M1 mAChR activation in healthy humans has no clinically relevant effect on pre-post sleep consolidation of declarative or procedural memories at a dose that reduces REM sleep latency and SWS duration.

Adult↗

Cervical cancer screening with cervicography and cytology.

The results of colposcopy and directed biopsies were compared with the cytological findings and cervicography in 1539 asymptomatic outpatients undergoing routine cervical cancer screening in order to compare the accuracy of cervicography and cytology and to assess the potential benefits of the combination of both screening tests. With the new reporting criteria, cervicography looked less sensitive (53% vs. 56%; P = 0.718) and significantly less specific (97% vs. 98%; P = 0.040) than cytology. In comparison with cytology and at the expense of a recall rate of 9%, the combination of both screening tests and to an increase of the sensitivity (77% vs. 56%; P = 0.013) but also to a decrease of the specificity (95% vs. 98%; P < 0.0001) and of the positive predictive value (44% vs. 60%; P = 0.051). When the original reporting criteria were applied to cervicography, the combination of both screening tests led to optimal sensitivity and negative predictive value (100%, respectively) at the expense of an unrealistic recall rate of 20%. Consequently, cervicography should not be considered as an alternative to cytology for cervical cancer screening since its accuracy is not significantly better and its rate of technically defective tests is significantly higher. The combination of both methods increases the sensitivity of cervical cancer screening at the expense of a high recall rate, of which cost effectiveness has to be assessed.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of screen-film and full-field digital mammography in Japanese population-based screening.

PURPOSE: To investigate how the greater contrast of full-field digital mammography (FFDM) affects the detection of suspicious lesions in Japanese population-based screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Screen-film mammography (SFM) and FFDM were performed in 480 women aged 50 years or more. A set of mediolateral oblique views was obtained with each modality. All mammograms were independently double-read. The five-scale category assessment and type of finding using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data system (BI-RADS) nomenclature were given. Intraobserver variance, recall rates, and positive predictive value were calculated. RESULTS: The findings between the two modalities were discordant. kappa-values for each reader were 0.619 and 0.385, respectively. Almost half of the microcalcifications were called with both modalities. The detection of masses was less concordant between the readers (27%). The masses were detected more frequently with FFDM (73%). Other findings were only detected with one modality. The recall rate was not significantly different (2.9% with SFM vs. 4.2% with FFDM; p=0.253). The positive predictive value was not significantly different (14% with SFM vs. 10% with FFDM; p=0.69), either. Two patients with breast cancer were detected with both modalities. CONCLUSION: Recall rates and positive predictive value were not significantly different between SFM and FFDM. Cancers were detected with both modalities.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Performance benchmarks for screening mammography.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the range of performance outcomes of the radiologist in an audit of screening mammography by using a representative sample of U.S. radiologists to allow development of performance benchmarks for screening mammography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and study was HIPAA compliant. Informed consent was or was not obtained according to institutional review board guidelines. Data from 188 mammographic facilities and 807 radiologists obtained between 1996 and 2002 were analyzed from six registries from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC). Contributed data included demographic information, clinical findings, mammographic interpretation, and biopsy results. Measurements calculated were positive predictive values (PPVs) from screening mammography (PPV(1)), biopsy recommendation (PPV(2)), biopsy performed (PPV(3)), recall rate, cancer detection rate, mean cancer size, and cancer stage. Radiologist performance data are presented as 50th (median), 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentiles and as graphic presentations by using smoothed curves. RESULTS: There were 2 580 151 screening mammographic studies from 1 117 390 women (age range, <30 to >/=80 years). The respective means and ranges of performance outcomes for the middle 50% of radiologists were as follows: recall rate, 9.8% and 6.4%-13.3%; PPV(1), 4.8% and 3.4%-6.2%; and PPV(2), 24.6% and 18.8%-32.0%. Mean cancer detection rate was 4.7 per 1000, and the median [corrected] mean size of invasive cancers was 13 mm. The range of performance outcomes for the middle 80% of radiologists also was presented. CONCLUSION: Community screening mammographic performance measurements of cancer outcomes for the majority of radiologists in the BCSC surpass performance recommendations. Recall rate for almost half of radiologists, however, is higher than the recommended rate.

Adult↗

Neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia in North-Eastern Italy: a report three years into the program.

AIMS: To evaluate the incidence of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in the Northern Italian population and the efficiency of the North-Eastern Italy screening program. To adjust cut-off levels for 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in relation to gestational age and birth weight, comparing the benefits in terms of reduction of recall rates with the two approaches and ultimately choosing the better of the two. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Since September 2001, blood samples from neonates born in North-Eastern Italy have been screened with a fluoroimmunoassay method for 17-OHP determination (DELFIA). A preliminary cut-off level of > or = 30 nmol/l was set both for term and preterm newborns. The values of 17-OHP were analysed using statistical methods in relation to gestational age and birth weight in order to modify the cut-off on the basis of our data. RESULTS: After 33 months of screening we screened 128,282 newborns and detected 6 affected babies. During the first 8 months of screening among the recalled babies, 89.6 and 78.1% were preterm and low-birth-weight newborns, respectively, with a recall rate of 2.59% for premature neonates and of 4.94% for babies with birth weights < 2,500 g. We chose a new cut-off value of 50 nmol/l for preterm newborns only and, after 4 months, the recall rate was reduced to 0.83% for these infants and to 1.83% for low-birth-weight infants. CONCLUSION: After 33 months of screening for CAH in North-Eastern Italy, we report an incidence of 1:21,380. In 5 out of 6 affected babies, the diagnosis was established only after a positive screening test, which prevented a severe salt-wasting crisis in these babies. The cut-off level related to gestational age led to a significant reduction in the number of false-positives among preterm babies.We therefore intend to continue with the screening program for CAH in North-Eastern Italy, keeping a gestational-age-related cut-off in the hope that our data may encourage a national screening program for CAH.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗

Comparison of standard reading and computer aided diagnosis (CAD) on a proficiency test of screening mammography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of computer aided diagnosis (CAD) to improve screening mammograms interpretation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six radiologists underwent a screening mammography proficiency test first by conventional, then by CAD assisted reading. Sensitivity and recall rate at conventional and CAD reading were compared. Independent conventional double reading was simulated (15 pair combinations) and compared to single CAD reading. RESULTS: CAD marked 31 of 32 cancers (case-based sensitivity=96.8%). On a film and lesion basis, CAD identified 31 of 32 (96.8%) malignant calcifications and 29 of 42 (69.0%) malignant opacities, the only cancer not identified by CAD being depicted as an isolated opacity. CAD marked 348 areas (153 microcalcifications and 195 opacities) in 88 of 108 non cancer cases, with a case-based specificity of 18.5% (20/108). Considering all six readings, cancer was identified in 164 or 174 of 192 readings (85.4 vs 90.6%, c2 2.03, df=1, p=0.15) and recalls of non-cancer cases were 108 or 159 of 648 readings (16.6 vs 24.5%, c2 11.7, df=1, p<0.001) at conventional or CAD reading, respectively. CAD reading (average of 6 readings, 192 cancer, 648 non-cancer readings) was slightly, non significantly less sensitive (sensitivity 90.6 vs 92.9%, c2 0.73, df=1, p=0.39) and slightly, but not significantly more specific (recall rate 24.5 vs 26.1%, c2 0.56, df=1, p=0.45) as compared to simulated independent double reading (average of 15 combinations, 480 cancer, 1620 non-cancer readings). CONCLUSION: CAD seems to allow for a limited absolute increase (+5.2%) in sensitivity and for a limited absolute increase (+7.9%) in recall rate, the latter difference only reaching statistical significance. CAD reading showed no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy as compared to conventional (simulated) double reading, although further studies are needed to confirm it as possible alternative to double reading in the current screening practice.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Clinical outcome and service implications of screening women at increased breast cancer risk from a family history.

INTRODUCTION: The value of special screening for women at moderate breast cancer risk with a family history of breast cancer remains controversial. Little is known about recall rates, false negative outcomes and the impact on clinical service. Despite this, surveillance programmes within breast units have been established in the United Kingdom. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our institution, screening of women at moderate (lifetime risk, 17-30%) and high risk (>30%) consisted of annual clinical examination and mammography from the age of 35 years. The active study period ran for four months and each patient was followed through a further screening cycle (whole study period), providing information on interval cancers and detection at the subsequent screen. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred and thirty-two women attended for their incident screen: 137 at high risk, 803 at moderate risk and 192 at standard risk. The median age at cancer diagnosis in the moderate risk group was 54 (range, 45-68) years and the high-risk group 51 (46-52) years, compared to 63 (45-69) years in the standard risk group. Seven cancers were diagnosed during the four-month active study period. Two patients were diagnosed with interval cancers and eight at the next screen, giving a cancer incidence in the whole study period of 17/1132 (1.5%). Thirteen patients had invasive cancer and four had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) The median invasive tumour size was 15 had (range, 7-28)mm and the median DCIS size was 4 (2-30)mm. 10/13 (76.9%) invasive cancers were < or =20mm and 2/13 patients (15.4%) with invasive cancer were lymph node positive. The sensitivity and specificity of mammography were 85.7% and 98.8%, respectively. The mammogram recall rate was 27.6 per 1000. The benign to malignant surgery ratio was 8:17. CONCLUSION: Screening women at increased breast cancer risk is effective. Early detection and recall rates are comparable to that of older women attending the British National Breast Screening Programme.

Adult↗

[Quality and homogeneity monitoring of radiologists in the Turin mammographic screening. Comparison of the pilot phase results].

The Turin mammographic screening program was designed to be carried out in several independent screening centers because of the large proportion of population involved (76,000 women aged 50 to 59 years). The first center began working in 1992 and the second center was opened in 1995. The latter center carried out an early pilot study in which 1024 women were examined to assess the homogeneity and the quality of the results. The results were then compared with European quality standards and with the results of both the pilot and the active screening periods in the first center. The results from the second center were very good as far as detection rate is concerned (7.8/1000-2.9/1000 in carcinoma < or = 1 cm). This rate is higher than the so-called "desirable" European standard. Recall rate and benign/malignant biopsy ratio were higher than the so-called "fair" European standard (recall rate: 7.1%; B/M biopsy ratio: 0.62). These results are slightly superior to those of the pilot period in the first center and slightly inferior to the results of active screening in the same center. The improvement relative to the pilot period in the first center (1991) is probably related to technical progress, such as the introduction of the double mammographic projection. The difference relative to the results from the active screening period in the first center (1992-1994) reflects different specific experience. Even though pilot periods have no statistical significance, they can be used for comparison, and in our experience they have proved, with positive results, the quality of the mammographic screening program provided to the Turin population.

Female↗

[Evaluation of mass screening for breast cancer in the Somme district (France) between 1990 and 1996].

BACKGROUND: Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that screening by mammography can reduce breast cancer mortality by 30% in women aged 50 to 69 years. In France, pilot screening programs were begun in 1989 and particularly in the Somme district. After 6 years and two rounds, the aim of this study was to assess the quality and the effectiveness of this screening program. METHODS: The quality of the campaign was measured concerning effectiveness (recall rate, positive predictive value of screening test or of the screening procedure, intervention rate, breast cancer detection rate) or quality (percentage of in situ cancers, invasive cancers smaller than 10 mm, invasive cancers without lymph node invasion). These indicators were compared with European targets. RESULTS: Attendance rates at 6 years ranged from 33.6% to 37.1%. The recall rate was 14.3% in the first and 7.8% in the second round, 6.4 and 6 cancers were detected per 1,000 women screened during the first and second round, and 38.5% of invasive cancers were of 10 mm or less (27.4% during the first round) and 70.8% had no nodal involvement (68.3% during the first round). CONCLUSION: Results from the screening system are variable yet satisfactory overall, due to the progressive implementation of quality assurance. However attendance rates remain low, whereas actual coverage is 64% in Somme district.

Age Factors↗