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Screening mammography program of British Columbia.
1Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
American Journal of Surgery
|May 1, 1990
Summary
A British Columbia screening mammography program detected 29 breast cancers in 7,100 women, costing $8,277 per diagnosis. Early detection through mammograms is crucial for managing breast carcinoma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Early diagnosis of breast carcinoma is a public health priority.
- Screening mammography programs aim to detect malignancies at earlier stages.
- Assessing the effectiveness and cost of such programs is essential for implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the initial outcomes of a government-funded screening mammography program in British Columbia.
- To determine the cost-effectiveness of early breast cancer detection through mammography.
- To assess the feasibility of program expansion.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a planned, government-funded screening mammography program.
- Screening of 7,100 women, collecting data on age, risk factors, and previous mammogram history.
- Calculation of cost per study and cost per diagnosed case, excluding specific overheads.
Main Results:
- 29 malignancies were diagnosed in the initial 7,100 women screened.
- Higher frequency of diagnosis observed with increasing age and risk factors.
- Markedly lower diagnosis frequency in women with recent prior mammograms (within 2 years).
- Cost per diagnosed case was $8,277.62 (Canadian), with a cost per study of $33.81.
Conclusions:
- The screening program successfully identified early-stage breast malignancies.
- Program costs are quantifiable, providing a basis for future economic evaluations.
- The program's success supports expansion, including to remote areas via mobile units, with continued quality control.