Coverage in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme, 1996-2005: correcting for the first invitation of women between 50 and 52 years.
BACKGROUND
Coverage measures the ability of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) to reach the eligible population and has a target of 70%.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate coverage accurately for women aged 50-64.


METHODS
Routine data from the KC63 return were used to calculate coverage for women aged 50-64 using an adjusted method that allows for the fact that women receive a first invitation to screening between 50 and 52.9 years.


RESULTS
The adjusted average coverage between 1996 and 2005, for women aged 50-64 was 74.3% and the standard unadjusted average measure for the same period was 68.3%. Therefore, previous measures of coverage for this age group have underestimated coverage by approximately 9% and the adjusted figure is actually well above the target.


CONCLUSIONS
In terms of coverage the programme has been performing better than previously reported. It is important to monitor the effect of an increasing workload on the programmes ability to re-invite women within three years of their last screen as maintaining coverage is an important factor in ensuring that the NHSBSP is effective in reducing mortality from breast cancer.
Bennett
R L
RL
Cancer Screening Evaluation Unit, Institute of Cancer Research, 15 Cotswold Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK. rachel.bennett@icr.ac.uk
Blanks
R G
RG
Moss
S M
SM
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013222:State Medicine