The Health Department and the epidemiology and cancer prevention group (Epican group) of the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) have jointly published a report on the evaluation of the “Mammography Program” (PM), the national organized breast cancer screening program. This is the first evaluation of this type, the result of a new methodology for crossing data from the National Cancer Registry (RNC) and the PM, developed by the Epican group.
The report highlights that beyond the quality of its organization, the PM is effective in detecting cases of cancer at less advanced stages than those detected outside the program. This effectiveness underlines the importance of PM in early detection which thus makes it possible to optimize healing processes. Data analysis highlights strong points but also identifies possible avenues for improvement to maximize the impact of the program on the target population.
Developed under the direction of Dr Claudine Backes, scientific director of the RNC and head of the Epican group, this report makes it possible to assess the country’s compliance in monitoring and improving the effectiveness of cancer screening by confirming the indicators at the level international.
“By developing this new methodology which links data from the National Cancer Registry to data from the Mammography Program, Luxembourg now joins a select group of European countries capable of evaluating the effectiveness of breast cancer screening at such a level. We we hope that the results of this report will be used for public health actions and future evaluations in order to detect breast cancers as early as possible in Luxembourg. This could help optimize the management of these cancers, leading to better treatment. prognosis and less burdensome and costly treatments, an increase quality of life and a reduction in the number of deaths associated with them,” commented Dr Backes.
Some results
Between 2011 and 2018, the PM participation rate is higher than the rates reported by neighboring countries, but lower than European recommendations [1]. Participation rates have also declined steadily over time: a trend whose causes need to be studied.
In the organized screening program, double reading of mammograms makes it possible to identify one in five breast cancers that would not have been detected by a single reader. This process, which involves having each mammogram reviewed by two independent radiologists, not only improves cancer detection, but also reduces the number of false positives. As a result, the number of additional tests (such as MRIs or biopsies) is reduced, saving costs, and, more importantly, the emotional stress of many participants while waiting for confirmed results is reduced over time. elapsed between the mammogram and the second reading.
The data analysis carried out as part of the report demonstrates the effectiveness of PM in detecting cancers at earlier stages, smaller in size in younger women and with fewer cases of lymph node involvement, compared to cancers detected outside of participation in the program. In most cases, tumors detected in the program are still localized, without metastases, which can facilitate treatment [2].
-Funding and collaborations
This first report, the result of a collaboration between the National Cancer Registry and the coordination center for organized cancer screening programs for the “Mammography Program”, made it possible to strengthen national and international collaborations on the evaluation of cancer screening programs. screening. In the future, this methodology could be replicated in order to evaluate the effects of the implementation of international recommendations for extending the age of inclusion in PM.
The Ministry of Health and Social Security also recalls that since July 1, 2024, the age range for access to the organized breast cancer screening program has been extended. It is now accessible to all women affiliated with the CNS, from the age of 45 to 74.
“This report marks an important step in our approach to improving the health and well-being of women in Luxembourg. The recommendations made will be implemented with determination and commitment. The work carried out will make it possible to strengthen our screening program, encourage participation in examinations and, above all, improve the chances of cure. This approach aims to reduce the incidence and mortality of breast cancer in our country, by offering each woman a chance to detect the disease as early as possible. possible and to fight more effectively against it”, concluded Martine Deprez, Minister of Health and Social Security.
More information
[1] National report evaluating the organized breast cancer screening program in Luxembourg, p. 37
[2] National report evaluating the organized breast cancer screening program in Luxembourg, p. 36
Communicated by the Ministry of Health and Social Security / Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH)
