Mobile Screening Units for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease: A Pilot Telemedicine Study in Southern Italy

Abstract

Introduction: Telemedicine is the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to improve patient outcomes by increasing access to care, medical information and services. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate and support the implementation of screening and early detection programs in the prevention of breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases with the establishment of a remote diagnosis through the use of ICT in mobile units. Materials and Methods: A total of 430 individuals were recruited in an area of Southern Italy. Particularly, 321 women were recruited to undergo breast cancer screening in accordance with Italian guidelines. Likewise, cardiovascular screening interested 109 subjects. A self-contained mobile unit with connectivity was provided to offer breast and cardiovascular screenings. To maximize the benefit, we have evaluated the return of investment. Results: The telemedicine screening program allowed the detection of early pathologies. In breast cancer screening, 40.8% of cases were negative to lesions, 34.9% were positive to benign lesions, and 3.1% presented suspicious malignant lesions; these lesions were further checked by histological analyses, which showed a positive response in 70% of cases. The cardiovascular screening concerned 109 participants based on age and other risk factors. We observed a significant difference among risk factors in patients with cardiac disease (p < 0.001); particularly, hypertension was significantly the most present risk factor (51.4%, p < 0.05), followed by smoking (28.4%, p < 0.05). A cardiovascular pathology was detected in 40.4% of enrolled subjects. A 3.3:1 return on investment was calculated. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that telemedicine may represent a promising approach to deliver several health services, such as screening programs, with users who cannot utilize services in their locations. The use of telemedicine on diagnostic campers greatly reduces the costs of screening for breast cancer and major cardiovascular diseases within the Southern Italian Health Service. We believe that public investment can have a further significant return on investment by implementing the principles of precision medicine.

The Utilization and Benefits of Telehealth Services by Health Care Professionals Managing Breast Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The use of telemedicine in BCa screening programs have been effective in the discovery of early lesions [43]. Marino described a pilot telemedicine study involving the use of mobile units in a BCa screening program and found that 3.1% of the cases had suspicious malignant lesions, 40.8% were negative to lesions and 34.9% of cases were positive to benign lesions [44]. Chung et al described the potential application of telemammography which could increase health care provision and access for BCa patients [45] as it facilitates communication between primary physicians and specialist, and ultimately improved patient outcomes [46].…”

The Utilization and Benefits of Telehealth Services by Health Care Professionals Managing Breast Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The use of telemedicine in BCa screening programs have been effective in the discovery of early lesions [43]. Marino described a pilot telemedicine study involving the use of mobile units in a BCa screening program and found that 3.1% of the cases had suspicious malignant lesions, 40.8% were negative to lesions and 34.9% of cases were positive to benign lesions [44]. Chung et al described the potential application of tele-mammography which could increase health care provision and access for BCa patients [45] as it facilitates communication between primary physicians and specialist, and ultimately improved patient outcomes [46].…”

Estimating the Underestimation Profile of Health Service Needs Through Telephone Counseling Centers

“…The proposed model was built in an environment for domiciliary rehabilitation based on lung incentive gamified devices integrated into the e-Healthcare system. Marino et al (2019), sought to evaluate the implementation of screening programs and early detection in the prevention of breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases with the establishment of a remote diagnosis through Telemedicine in a sample composed of 321 women submitted to breast cancer screening and 109 individuals undergoing cardiovascular screening, such study was developed in southern Italy. For the sample studied, the authors concluded that the use of telemedicine significantly reduces the costs of breast cancer tracking and major cardiovascular diseases.…”