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Mammography outcomes analysis: potential panacea or Pandora's box?
M N Linver1, R D Rosenberg, R A Smith
1X-Ray Associates of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87102, USA.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Mammography data collection and audits can improve breast cancer control. Stronger data confidentiality protections are needed to encourage radiologist participation and ensure the effectiveness of these public health initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Public Health
- Breast Cancer Screening
Background:
- Increasing demand for mammography outcomes analysis.
- Radiologists are adopting standardized data coding but have confidentiality concerns.
- Community-based mammography data collection is underway, supported by radiologists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the value of mammography data analysis for breast cancer control.
- To address concerns regarding data confidentiality in mammography audits.
- To explore the potential of pooled community data for establishing practice standards.
Main Methods:
- Collection of community-based mammography data.
- Standardized coding of mammography report data.
- Facilitating practice audits through data feedback.
Main Results:
- Pooled community data can establish statistics on mammography practice and breast cancer impact.
- Individual audits can improve radiologists' skills and interpretation patterns.
- Community standards may be more applicable across groups than for individual radiologists due to statistical variations.
Conclusions:
- Medical audits offer significant public health benefits for breast cancer control.
- Enhanced legal protections for data confidentiality are crucial for encouraging radiologist participation in audits.
- Addressing confidentiality concerns is essential for realizing the full potential of mammography audits in breast cancer control.