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Waiting for a diagnosis after an abnormal screening mammogram. SMPBC diagnostic process workgroup. Screening
1University of British Columbia, Vancouver. iolivott@bccancer.bc.ca
Background:
Women with abnormal screening mammograms require diagnostic assessment and experience anxiety until a diagnosis is established. This report evaluated the timeliness of diagnosis after an abnormal screening mammogram in the Screening Mammography Program of British Columbia (SMPBC).
Methods:
Information on diagnostic interventions following an abnormal screen (N = 10,314) provided through 11 regional SMPBC services between January 1, 1993 and June 30, 1994 were abstracted and analyzed.
Results:
The median time from abnormal screen to diagnosis was 3.4 weeks with regional variation of 2.0 to 4.7 weeks; 10% waited 8.7 weeks or longer. For the 19% of women proceeding to open biopsy, the median diagnostic interval was 7.1 weeks with regional variation of 4.6 to 9.3 weeks; 10% waited 13.1 weeks or longer.
Interpretation:
After an abnormal screening mammogram, women waited many weeks for a definitive diagnosis, especially those proceeding to open biopsy. Opportunities for process improvement were identified.
