Challenges and opportunities for Aotearoa/New Zealand's breast screening programme

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Approximately 3500 New Zealand women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually.
• Mammography screening, via BreastScreen Aotearoa or private services, diagnoses 45% of these cases.
• Screening leads to better and more equitable health outcomes, particularly for Māori and Pacific women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore opportunities for increasing early breast cancer diagnosis through systematic screening.
• To identify strategies for improving overall breast cancer mortality rates.
• To discuss technological advancements and policy adjustments for enhanced screening programs.

Main Methods:

• Review of current breast cancer screening practices and outcomes in New Zealand.
• Analysis of potential improvements including expanded screening age ranges and addressing ethnic disparities in screening rates.
• Evaluation of technological innovations such as breast density grading, personalized screening, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications.

Main Results:

• Screening diagnoses a significant proportion of breast cancer cases, leading to improved outcomes.
• Technological advancements present opportunities to enhance early detection rates.
• AI shows potential for improved risk assessment and diagnostic accuracy in mammography.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing mammography screening programs is crucial for reducing breast cancer mortality.
• Addressing inequities and embracing technological advancements, including AI, can further improve screening effectiveness and patient outcomes.
• Personalized screening approaches and consideration of breast density are key areas for future development.