Corporate-sponsored breast cancer screening at the work site: results of a statewide program

Article Abstract:

Mammography is an X-ray technique that is used to detect breast cancer. It is highly recommended that women undergo regular screening for breast cancer by mammography. However, many physicians do not encourage breast cancer screening. Most women seem reluctant to have mammograms because of fear of radiation exposure or not seeing the value of the radiologic examination when no symptoms are present. Economic and time constraints are also a hindrance. Mobile screening units, which may be sponsored by employers and brought to the workplace, can remove some of these barriers. This study examined the results of a corporate-sponsored program of breast cancer screening. A large corporation in Pennsylvania and Delaware sponsored a statewide breast cancer screening program for its female employees and the wives of male employees. The women were charged $30, less than half the actual cost; the corporation paid the remainder. A total of 3,627 women had mammography performed through the program. Of these women, biopsies were recommended in 63 women (1.7 percent); of the 57 biopsies actually performed, breast cancer was diagnosed in 9 women. In 8 of the 9 cases, no symptoms of breast cancer were present, and 7 of the cancers were in early stages. Eight of the women were more than 40 years of age. The 1.7 percent biopsy recommendation rate was lower than the 3 percent rate reported nationally; this finding was attributed to the large number of younger women in this study. The costs to the employer were calculated to be $78,343, which was less than the cost of female employees taking two hours away from work to go elsewhere for mammography. These results indicate that work site mobile screening programs for breast cancer can be less expensive for employers and encourage greater participation among women. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Occupational health services, Medical screening, Health screening

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Psychological and behavioral implications of abnormal mammograms

Article Abstract:

Mammography, or taking X-rays of the breasts, has been utilized in recent years to detect breast cancer, and is accepted by both women and their doctors as a useful and necessary method of screening for cancer. As many as 15 to 20 percent of mammograms many be interpreted as abnormal, but the vast majority of women with abnormal mammograms do not have cancer. Because some women at particularly high risk for breast cancer have been observed to decrease the frequency of breast self-examinations, questions have been raised whether anxiety about abnormal mammogram results may similarly prevent women from seeking the follow-up care they need. Several hundred women who had screening mammography were assessed. Results revealed that women whose mammograms were suspicious for breast cancer were more prone to psychological disturbances than those whose mammograms were normal. Adhering to a recommended schedule of mammography was apparently not adversely affected by suspicious mammogram results, suggesting that an increased awareness of breast cancer might have led to a greater degree of compliance with recommended screening. However, the study only examined the first three months after an abnormal mammogram was obtained, and thus can only predict and not actually measure the degree of compliance with a recommended mammography schedule. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects

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Why women resist screening mammography: patient-related barriers

Article Abstract:

Although breast cancer-related deaths can be cut by as much as 35 percent by early detection with routine mammogram examination, fewer than 20 percent of all women over the age of fifty have had a mammogram. The percentage of women who have regular mammograms is even lower. The rate of women having mammograms has been reported as increasing, but the level is still surprisingly low in relation to the potential reduction in mortality. A number of patient-related variables have been identified that provide barriers to women who should undergo this procedure. In this study 600 women were interviewed who were offered a free mammographic examination. A statistically significant number of women who did not take advantage of the offer held the belief that a mammography is unnecessary without breast-related symptoms and, in any case, is inconvenient. A woman whose doctor considers mammography important is more likely to accept the procedure. In order to further reduce barriers to women obtaining mammograms, the cost of the procedure should be reduced and reimbursement mechanisms should be changed. Mammography should be made widely available to women, and physicians must remind women of the need for routine breast examination by this method.

Health aspects, Management, Evaluation, Women, Women's health

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