Retrospective radiological review and classification of interval breast cancers within population-based breast screening programmes for the purposes of open disclosure: a systematic review

Introduction: Interval breast cancers occur following a negative breast screening mammogram and before the next scheduled appointment within screening programmes. Radiological review classifies them as cancers that develop between screens, cancers with no obvious malignant abnormalities on prior screens or cancers not detected at screening. This study aimed to systematically review published literature on the occurrence of open disclosure following interval cancer radiological reviews by breast screening programmes internationally in a retrospective setting and examine methodologies used for radiological reviews for the purposes of disclosure. Methods: A search for relevant articles published (January 2000 - May 2019) was conducted according to PICO and PRISMA guidelines. The databases Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cinahl, Web of Science, Embase, Science Direct and Global Health were searched. Relevant studies were reviewed if they had completed a retrospective review and classification of interval breast cancers. Results: Of 46 relevant articles included, no study was identified that conducted a retrospective review purposely for open disclosure. Retrospective reviews were conducted for audit/quality assurance, and research including for radiologist education and learning. Variation in methodology was found across review type (non-blinded/semi-informed approach), number of reviewers and classification categories. The proportion of false negative cancers classified among the studies ranged from 4 to 40 %. Discussion:  Variation among radiological review practices were observed, which likely impacts classification results. To ensure standardised classification of interval breast cancers are employed for the purposes of open disclosure in screening settings, reproducible and consistent methodology is required. </div

Retrospective radiological review and classification of interval breast cancers within population-based breast screening programmes for the purposes of open disclosure: a systematic review

Introduction: Interval breast cancers occur following a negative breast screening mammogram and before the next scheduled appointment within screening programmes. Radiological review classifies them as cancers that develop between screens, cancers with no obvious malignant abnormalities on prior screens or cancers not detected at screening. This study aimed to systematically review published literature on the occurrence of open disclosure following interval cancer radiological reviews by breast screening programmes internationally in a retrospective setting and examine methodologies used for radiological reviews for the purposes of disclosure. Methods: A search for relevant articles published (January 2000 - May 2019) was conducted according to PICO and PRISMA guidelines. The databases Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cinahl, Web of Science, Embase, Science Direct and Global Health were searched. Relevant studies were reviewed if they had completed a retrospective review and classification of interval breast cancers. Results: Of 46 relevant articles included, no study was identified that conducted a retrospective review purposely for open disclosure. Retrospective reviews were conducted for audit/quality assurance, and research including for radiologist education and learning. Variation in methodology was found across review type (non-blinded/semi-informed approach), number of reviewers and classification categories. The proportion of false negative cancers classified among the studies ranged from 4 to 40 %. Discussion:  Variation among radiological review practices were observed, which likely impacts classification results. To ensure standardised classification of interval breast cancers are employed for the purposes of open disclosure in screening settings, reproducible and consistent methodology is required. </div

sj-docx-1-msc-10.1177_09691413221122014 - Supplemental material for Interval cancer audit and disclosure in breast screening programmes: An international survey

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-msc-10.1177_09691413221122014 for Interval cancer audit and disclosure in breast screening programmes: An international survey by Patricia Fitzpatrick, Helen Byrne, Fidelma Flanagan, Ann O’Doherty, Alissa Connors, Aideen Larke, Risteard O’Laoide, Yvonne Williams and Therese Mooney in Journal of Medical Screening</p

Examining the impact of COVID-19 disruptions on population-based breast cancer screening in Ireland

Objective: Many population-based breast screening programmes temporarily suspended routine screening following the COVID-19 pandemic onset. This study aimed to describe screening mammography utilisation and the pattern of screen-detected breast cancer diagnoses following COVID-19-related screening disruptions in Ireland. Methods: Using anonymous aggregate data from women invited for routine screening, three time periods were examined: (1) January-December 2019, (2) January-December 2020, and (3) January-December 2021. Descriptive statistics were conducted and comparisons between groups were performed using chi-square tests. Results: In 2020, screening mammography capacity fell by 67.1% compared to 2019; recovering to 75% of mammograms performed in 2019, during 2021. Compared to 2019, for screen-detected invasive breast cancers, a reduction in Grade 1 (14.2% vs. 17.2%) and Grade 2 tumours (53.4% vs. 58.0%) and an increase in Grade 3 tumours (32.4% vs. 24.8%) was observed in 2020 (p = 0.03); whereas an increase in Grade 2 tumours (63.3% vs. 58.0%) and a reduction in Grade 3 tumours (19.6% vs. 24.8%) was found in 2021 (p = 0.02). No changes in oestrogen receptor-positive or nodal-positive diagnoses were observed; however the proportion of oestrogen/progesterone receptor-positive breast cancers significantly increased in 2020 (76.2%; p p Conclusion: These findings demonstrate signs of a grade change for screen-detected invasive breast cancers early in the pandemic, with recovery evident in 2021, and without an increase in nodal positivity. Future studies are needed to determine the COVID-19 impact on long-term breast cancer outcomes including mortality.</p