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[A pilot project with mammography--results from the first screening round]
H Wang1, S S Hofvind, S Ø Thoresen
1Kreftregisteret Montebello 0310 Oslo. hw@kreftreg.no
Summary
Organised mammography screening in Norway demonstrated high participation and early cancer detection rates. This pilot program is expected to significantly reduce breast cancer mortality in the future.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Organised mammography screening programs aim to reduce breast cancer mortality.
- A pilot project was initiated in Norway (1995/1996) across four counties.
- This study evaluates early indicators of mortality reduction from the first screening round.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the initial phase of an organised mammography screening program.
- To identify early indicators predicting future reductions in breast cancer mortality.
Main Methods:
- Biennial two-view mammography offered to women aged 50-69.
- Screening conducted in dedicated units; mammograms read at university hospital diagnostic centers.
- Data collected by The Cancer Registry of Norway via a central screening database for monitoring and evaluation.
Main Results:
- High acceptance rate of 79.5% among invited women, with approximately 127,000 women screened.
- Cancer detection rate of 6.7 per 1,000 women screened.
- 53.1% of invasive tumors were under 15 mm; 20% of patients had lymph node metastasis.
Conclusions:
- The pilot project's results align with predefined objectives.
- A projected mortality reduction of at least 30% is anticipated.
- Findings support the expansion of the pilot program into a nationwide screening initiative.