Effect on breast cancer screening response in The Netherlands of inviting women for an additional scientific investigation.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to determine whether asking women to undertake an additional scientific study would deter them from attending screening for breast cancer.


METHODS
A randomised study was conducted in all women aged 50-70 years who were eligible for breast cancer screening and living in the city of Utrecht. A total of 1863 women were invited for mammography only and 1863 women were invited to participate in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) in addition to the mammography.


METHODS
The study population comprised a random sample of 3726, 15% of the female population of Utrecht aged 50-70 years.


RESULTS
The attendance rate for breast cancer screening was 53%, irrespective of the invitation to participate in the additional scientific study.


CONCLUSIONS
Asking women to attend for an investigation in addition to the routine screening procedure for breast cancer did not affect the overall response to screening.
Peeters
P H
PH
Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Beckers
C G
CG
Hogervorst
J M
JM
Collette
H J
HJ
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation