What's the buzz: Tell me what's happening in breast cancer screening

Abstract

Many controversies have come to light related to breast cancer screening recommendations for average- and high-risk populations. This manuscript focuses on factors to consider when coordinating and conducting breast cancer screening programs in an average or “healthy women” population. As presented at the 2016 ONS Congress, a brief comparison of current screening recommendations among various organizations for early detection of breast cancer is provided. Lessons learned regarding key components of successful screening programs such as being patient focused, accessible, and sustainable are shared. Practice implications such as gaining confidence in providing individualized patient education, encouraging every woman to discuss her risk of breast cancer with her health-care provider, advocating for patients needs and being involved in or aware of clinical and translational research on the efficacy of the clinical breast examination and screening services are critical roles for nurses and advanced practice nurse providers.

The Relationship between Risk Levels of Breast Cancer and Use of Early Diagnosis and Screening Services in Healthcare Workers in Turkey

“…CBE is the palpation of axilla and all breast tissues by a physician or other trained healthcare personnel and the assessment of breast cancer findings. Especially women, who are under 40 yr of age, should have CBE regularly ( 4 , 6 ). 11.6% of the healthcare workers participating in this study have had CBE.…”

“…This is also supported by the fact that women in the age group of ≥40 yr participating in our study have breast US 9.4 times more often. Healthcare institutions and organizations recommend that women aged 40 yr and older should have mammography once in 1 to 2 years ( 2 – 4 , 6 , 7 , 14 ). In this study, the mammography rate of participants aged 40 yr and older was 15.9%.…”

“…However, there are on-going discussions regarding early diagnosis and screening age and frequency regarding breast cancer. All asymptomatic women perform BSE regularly every month between the ages of 20–39 and have CBE every one to three years, that women in the age group of 40 and over have mammography once in 1 to 2 years and that women have a breast US to confirm the mammography in intense breast cases and case of breast cancer suspicion before the age of 40 ( 3 , 6 , 7 ).…”

“…Nurses and midwives working at every stage of the healthcare system make direct contact with the public. Midwives and nurses provide information and support regarding medical problems including cancer ( 6 , 8 ). The positive attitudes and behaviors of healthcare workers regarding the early diagnosis and screening of breast cancer may contribute both to themselves and the people in their service area regarding cancer prevention ( 8 , 14 ).…”

Understanding breast cancer screening—past, present, and future

“…4,5 In common, all organisations emphasise that the benefits of screening outweigh the harm at all ages. 3,6 They all endorse informed decision-making and the importance of informing women about both benefits and limitations of screening. However, there remain legitimate concerns about guideline differences, including the complexity of the guidelines; weak adherence to creating opportunities for informed decision-making; unreadiness of referring clinicians to discuss benefits, limitations, and harm associated with screening; and the lack of reminder systems, which results in weaker adherence to recommended screening intervals.…”