The mammography debate continues in the medical imaging industry as pundits argue from either side of the fence about appropriateness and screening programs. Recently, a pair of Swiss physicians argued that moving away from systematic programs might have a negative effect on quality of life.
FierceMedicalImaging reported that Arnaud Chiolero, Ph.D., of the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine at Lausanne University Hospital, and Nicolas Rodondi, M.D., of the Department of General Internal Medicine at Bern University Hospital, discussed the lack of evidence to support the abolishment of mammography screenings. Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the authors believe that steps can be taken to improve care.
Many of the improvements can be implemented by radiologists and referring physicians themselves during conversations with patients. For example, doctors should acknowledge that there are possible side effects associated with mammography. In addition, the authors want to see further trials on mammograms, as many existing studies on the topic are decades old.
While the Swiss Medical Board recommended that the country stop developing new mammography screening programs earlier this year due to concerns over potential harm, this does not mean that they should be abolished altogether.
Signed letters improve screening compliance
Canadian researchers, led by Elisa Chan, M.D., from St. John Regional Hospital in New Brunswick, found that sending at-risk women a signed letter from their physician increased mammography screening return rates, according to AuntMinnie.com. The results of the study were presented in a statement prior to the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Symposium in San Francisco.
"That simple human touch increased the chance of a woman overdue for screening mammography coming back by more than half. It's a tribute to the power of the personal connection between women and their doctors," said Harold Burstein, Ph.D., study facilitator from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, quoted by the news source.
Chan and her colleagues identified 5,385 women from the British Columbia Screening Mammography Program who were between the ages of 52 and 74. The participants previously had normal mammograms but were overdue for a follow-up by 30 to 48 months. Half of the women received the program's standard postcard reminder, while the rest received an additional reminder letter signed by their doctor.
Within six months, 22.3 percent of the women who received only a postcard returned, while 33.2 percent who received signed letters came back for another screening. In the latter group, women who had undergone more than one prior mammogram were 2.2 times more likely to return than those who had only experienced one exam.
The simple tactic of supplying a signed, personal letter from a family physician had a substantial impact on the return rates of female patients. Women responded quickly after receiving the note and were considerably more likely to undergo further exams. The findings suggest that simply educating patients about their options with diagnostic imaging can have a significant effect on their quality of life.
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Ronny Bachrach
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