Screening organization and recall rate in a regional breast screening programme
Tina Beruchashwili1, Rema Gvamichava1, Stephen W Duffy2
11 Georgian National Screening Centre, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Journal of Medical Screening
|June 16, 2017
Summary
Breast cancer screening recall rates in Tbilisi were high, particularly in younger women. Same-visit assessments may increase these rates, suggesting separate clinics for a national program.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Public Health
- Oncology
Background:
- Regional breast screening programs provide data for national planning.
- Assessing recall rates is crucial for program efficiency and patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate recall rates from a regional breast screening program.
- To inform the implementation of a national population-based breast screening program.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 27,327 mammographic screening episodes from Tbilisi, Georgia (2015-2016).
- Screening involved two-view digital mammography with double reading for women aged 40-70.
- Further assessment occurred during the same visit as the initial screening mammogram.
Main Results:
- Recall rates were 46% in 2015 and 27% in 2016.
- Cancer detection rates were 8/1000 in 2015 and 3/1000 in 2016.
- Higher recall rates were observed in younger women, while older women had higher cancer detection rates.
Conclusions:
- Recall rates remain high and potentially unmanageable for a nationwide program.
- Same-visit assessment may contribute to elevated recall rates.
- Separate assessment clinics and recall audits are recommended for the national program.
