title: A review of screening mammography participation and utilization in Canada.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Participation rate is an important indicator for a screening program's effectiveness; however, the current approach to measuring participation rate in Canada is not comparable with other countries. The objective of this study is to review the measurement of screening mammography participation in Canada, make international comparisons, and propose alternative methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Canadian breast cancer screening program data for women aged 50 to 69 years screened between 2004 and 2006 were extracted from the Canadian Breast Cancer Screening Database (CBCSD). The fee-for-services (FSS) mammography data (opportunistic screening mammography) were obtained from the provincial ministries of health. Both screening mammography program participation and utilization were examined over 24 and 30 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Canada's screening participation rate increases from 39.4% for a 24-month cut-off to 43.6% for a 30-month cut-off. The 24-month mammography utilization rate is 63.1% in Canada, and the 30-month utilization rate is 70.4%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the differences in health service delivery among Canadian provinces, both programmatic participation and overall utilization of mammography at 24 months and 30 months should be monitored.
authors: Breast Screening Program for Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Canada. gregory.doyle@easternhealth.ca
authors: G P
authors: GP
authors: Doyle
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Major
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Chu
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Stankiewicz
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Harrison
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Pogany
authors: V M
authors: VM
authors: Mai
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Onysko
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002170:Canada; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data