Risk assessment, screening and prevention of breast cancer: A look at cost-effectiveness

published online 20 April 2010.

Abstract

Recent suggestions by the United States Preventive Task Force to change the longstanding guidelines for screening mammography have raised the issue of cost-effectiveness in regards to breast cancer detection. Given the enormous number of women who have had, or who will be diagnosed with breast cancer, it is essential to maintain the quality of care that has been achieved here in the United States while utilizing a cost-effective approach. The following review attempts a close examination of current methods available for risk assessment, screening and prevention programs. These programs must be carefully considered and analyzed prior to implementing cost-saving changes to current clinical standards that have proven successful in decreasing the mortality from breast cancer throughout the world.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Cost-effectiveness, Mammography, Screening, Risk assessment, Prevention

a American Society of Breast Disease, P.O. Box 1620, Frisco, TX 75034, United States

b Mercy Women’s Center, Department of Surgery, Mercy Health Center, 4300 McAuley Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73120, United States

c University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Director of Breast Imaging, UCI Medical Center, 101 The City Drive South, Route 140, Orange CA 92868-3298, United States

Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 877 237 4245; fax: +1 972 624 8414.

d Dr. Lebovic is President of the American Society of Breast Disease.

e Tel.: +1 405 936 5455; fax: +1 405 936 5629.

f Tel.: +1 714 456 6905, fax: +1 714 456 6903.

PII: S0960-9776(10)00067-6

doi:10.1016/j.breast.2010.03.013

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