Improving utilization of breast and cervical cancer screening in your office practice

It has been well documented that early detection and early intervention for breast and cervical cancer saves lives. However, the challenge is to ensure that physicians' practices are effective in implementing the standard guidelines for screening and that all women are screened and undergo appropriate follow-up. Early detection and intervention are imperative since African-American women are twice as likely as European-American women to die from breast cancer even though the incidence of breast cancer is lower. African-American women have fewer mammograms and are being diagnosed later after metastases have occurred. Studies also show that women are more likely to have mammograms if their physicians so advise. However, the most common reason women give for not obtaining mammograms is, "My doctor never recommended it." By using a simple critical path analysis tool to systematically evaluate an office practice and by implementing practical, simple principles, a physician can increase utilization of breast and cervical cancer screening.