Canadian Radiologists Do Not Support Screening Mammography Guidelines of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. Issue 3 (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seely, Jean M.; Lee, Jiyon; Whitman, Gary J.; Gordon, Paula B.
• Is Part Of: Canadian Association of Radiologists journal. Volume 68:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 257
• Page End: 266
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Breast cancer -- Mammography -- Screening -- Screening guidelines -- Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care; Radiology, Medical -- Periodicals; Radiology, Medical -- Canada -- Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carj.2016.08.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0846-5371

Abstract

Purpose: The study sought to determine screening mammography recommendations that radiologists in Canada promote to average-risk patients and family or friends, and do or would do for themselves. Methods: An online survey was delivered from February 19, 2014, to July 11, 2014. Data included radiologists' recommendations for mammography and their personal screening habits based on gender. The 3 radiologists' cohorts were women ≥40 years of age, women <40 years of age, and men. The distribution of responses for each question was summarized, and proportions for the entire group and individual cohorts were computed. Results: Of 402 surveys collected, 97% (299 of 309) radiologists recommended screening every 1-2 years, 62% (192 of 309) starting ≥40 years of age and 2% (5 of 309) recommended screening every 2-3 years for women 50-74 years of age. Recommendations were similar for family and friends: 96% (294 of 305) recommended screening every 1-2 years, 66% (202 of 305) recommended screening every 1-2 years for women ≥40 years of age, and 2% (5 of 305) recommended screening every 2-3 years. For women radiologists ≥40 years of age, 76% (48 of 63) underwent screening every 1-2 years and started at 40 years of age, 76% (16 of 21) female radiologists <40 years of age would undergo screening ≥40 years of age, 100% every 1-2 years, and 90% (151 of 167) male radiologists would undergo screening every 1-2 years, with 71% (120 of 169) beginning at 40 years of age. Conclusion: The majority of Canadian radiologists recommend screening mammography every 1-2 years for average-risk women ≥40 years of age, whether they are patients or family and friends.