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Trends in mammography utilization, 1981 to 1994
L A Gaudette1, C A Altmayer, K M Nobrega
1Health Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa.
Health Reports
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Mammogram use in Canada surged from 1981-1994, primarily for breast cancer screening. Utilization stabilized in the early 1990s, with screening increasingly focused on women aged 50-69.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Mammogram utilization in Canada saw a significant increase from 1981 to 1994.
- By 1994, over half of women aged 40+ had undergone at least one mammogram.
- The rise was largely driven by increased use for breast cancer screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in mammography utilization in Canada from 1981 to 1994.
- To assess the shift towards targeted screening in specific age groups.
- To examine the data sources and implications for breast cancer incidence and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of administrative data from provincial/territorial health departments and breast screening programs.
- Inclusion of data from the National Population Health Survey.
- Assessment of mammography utilization patterns and their potential impact on health outcomes.
Main Results:
- Annual mammograms increased from under 200,000 to over 1.4 million between 1981 and 1994.
- Mammography use stabilized in the early 1990s, with a slight decrease in fee-for-service and an increase in screening program use.
- Screening is increasingly focused on women aged 50-69, though most mammograms are still fee-for-service.
Conclusions:
- Mammography use in Canada has significantly increased, with a notable shift towards screening.
- While utilization has stabilized, targeted screening for women aged 50-69 is becoming more prominent.
- Definitive conclusions on the impact on breast cancer incidence and mortality require longer-term data due to lead times.