[Evaluation of the national epidemiological program of breast cancer screening in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 1999-2002].
In 1992 a national breast cancer screening programme was launched in Luxembourg with following characteristics; invitation at 2-yearly interval, 2 views, double reading for women aged between 50 and 64 and since 2001, those aged 65-69 are as well included. From the beginning on, one of the main concern was to respect a rigorous methodology, in accordance with the recommendations of the European Commission. This paper presents the early performance indicators of the years 1999-2002 of the "Programme Mammographie". Almost all histopathological results were obtained, because only one national pathology laboratory exists in Luxembourg, where also the national tumor's register is located. In ten years, a total of 91.432 mammograms were performed. The results of the early performance indicators are in agreement with the European Recommendations. A 36% detection rate of small size cancers, < or = 10 mm, and since 2000, more then 70% of node negative cancers are observed among women aged 50-64 attending the Programme. The cancer rate with a good prognostic factor for the patients is high. Despite good results, the rate of interval cancers is still too high, and two conclusions can be drown: the women's participation at screening has to be steady in time without trespassing a two years intervals, and after the detection of small cancer a high quality assessment should be followed by an adequate treatment, leading to a reduction of mortality and also to a decrease of morbidity by treatment.
Scharpantgen
Astrid
A
Ministère de la Santé, Programme Mammographie, Villa Louvigny L-2120 Luxembourg. astrid.scharpantgen@ms.etat.lu
Lux
Christiane
C
Wagnon
Marie-Christine
MC
Shannoun
Ferid
F
Schank
Jean-Marie
JM
Back
Carlo
C
Brochmann
Chantal
C
Hansen-Koenig
Danielle
D
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008189:Luxembourg / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged