Breast Cancer Screening Program in France: Results for 2007–2008, Trends Since 2004

The national organized breast cancer screening program was rolled out nationwide in 2004. It includes a clinical examination and two mammograms per breast interpreted by a primary radiologist, followed, if necessary, by immediate diagnostic testing, as well as a systematic second reading of normal images. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of women screened rose from 1,621,000 to 2,288,192, corresponding to a participation rate that increased from 40% to 52.5%. Early evaluation results for the program are presented for 98 out of 100 departments. For 8.1% of women screened in 2007 and 7.8% in 2008, the mammogram was abnormal, and the immediate diagnostic workup confirmed the abnormality in 40.3% and 41.1% of these women, respectively—representing 3.4% and 3.3% of all screened women. In 77% of cases, the immediate diagnostic evaluation consisted solely of a breast ultrasound. A normal mammogram was associated with an abnormal clinical examination in 0.3% and 0.2% of cases. In 2007 and 2008, 1.4% and 1.3% of women were recalled after the second reading. The cancer detection rates for the program were 6.7% and 6.3% in 2007 and 2008, respectively (provisional data). Among all cancers detected, 8.9% in 2007 and 7.7% in 2008 were detected by the second reading. In 2007 and 2008, 15.2% and 14.3% of cancers, respectively, were in situ. Among invasive cancers, 36.3% and 36.5% were 10 mm or smaller in size, and 74.2% and 75.0% of those with known lymph node status showed no lymph node involvement. These indicators are consistent with the European guidelines and the French specifications. (R.A.)

Author(s): Lastier D, Salines E, Danzon A

Publishing year: 2011

Pages: 12 p.

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