Reduction in interval cancer rates following the introduction of two-view mammography in the UK breast screening programme

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The introduction of two-view mammography at incident (subsequent) screens in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) has led to an increased number of cancers detected at screen. However, the effect of two-view mammography on interval cancer rates has yet to be assessed. METHODS: Routine screening and interval cancer data were collated from all screening programmes in the United Kingdom for women aged 50-64, screened between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2005. Interval cancer rates were compared based on whether two-view mammography was in use at the last routine screen. RESULTS: The reduction in interval cancers following screening using two-view mammography compared with one view was 0.68 per 1,000 women screened. Overall, this suggests the introduction of two-view mammography at incident screen was accompanied by a 15-20% reduction in interval cancer rates in the NHSBSP. CONCLUSION: The introduction of two-view mammography at incident screens is associated with a reduction in incidence of interval cancers. This is consistent with previous publications on a contemporaneous increase in screen-detected cancers. The results provide further evidence of the benefit of the use of two-view mammography at incident screens.