Screening mammography: the Mount Sinai BreastCheck experience

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Early breast cancer detection significantly reduces mortality rates.
• Screening mammography is crucial for identifying minimal breast cancers.
• Community-based screening programs enhance accessibility for women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact and outcomes of a mobile mammography screening program in north central Connecticut.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of screening mammography in detecting early-stage breast cancer within a community setting.

Main Methods:

• A mobile van was utilized to screen nearly 15,000 women over a four-year period.
• Data collected included cancer detection rates, biopsy rates, and positive predictive values.
• Analysis focused on the proportion of minimal cancers and lymph node involvement.

Main Results:

• Seventy-seven breast cancers were detected, yielding a detection rate of five cancers per 1,000 women screened.
• The biopsy rate was 1.5%, with a positive predictive value of 34%.
• Sixty-one percent of detected tumors were minimal cancers, and only 12 patients had positive lymph nodes.

Conclusions:

• The mobile mammography screening program effectively increased access to early breast cancer detection.
• The program demonstrated a high yield of minimal cancers, supporting the benefits of screening mammography.
• Findings suggest that community-based mobile screening initiatives are valuable for public health in breast cancer management.