Perceived sensitivity of mammographic screening: women's views on test accuracy and financial compensation for missed cancers.

Abstract

Unrealistically high expectations of the sensitivity of screening mammography were common in this group of women. Many women favoured financial compensation for missed cancers even if the cancer was missed solely because of the failure rate of the test. Public education is required to inform women of the limited sensitivity of breast cancer tests but this may not reduce claims for financial compensation when cancers are missed.