Breast cancer screening practices for hospitalized women

The increasing prevalence of breast cancer and the demonstrated benefits of routine breast screening activities have prompted considerable attention to the use of screening procedures. In addition to public education efforts, physicians have been encouraged to incorporate breast screening guidelines into their daily practice. This study was undertaken to examine the current practice of breast screening activities for women hospitalized on a general medical or surgical unit at a university medical center. A retrospective chart review of 159 women hospitalized during a six-month period demonstrated that breast screening activity in the sample was similar to national rates of breast cancer screening. Within the year, 43% of these women had had a clinical breast examination and 21% had had mammography. This suggests that the period of hospitalization had not been used by practitioners as an opportunity to initiate breast screening activities in the patient's care.