title: Optimizing Canadian breast cancer screening strategies: a perspective for action.
abstract: While controversies regarding optimal breast cancer screening modalities, screening start and end ages, and screening frequencies continue to exist, additional population-based randomized trials are unlikely to be initiated to examine these concerns. Simulation models have been used to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of various breast cancer screening strategies, however these models were all developed using US data. Currently, there is a need to examine the optimal screening and treatment policies in the Canadian context. In this commentary, we discuss the current controversies pertaining to breast cancer screening, and describe the fundamental components of a simulation model, which can be used to inform breast cancer screening and treatment policies.
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: Andriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barisic
authors.forename: Sharareh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taghipour
authors.forename: Dragan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Banjevic
authors.forename: Anthony B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jardine
authors.forename: Bart J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002170:Canada; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
keywords: Breast cancer; model components; screening controversies; screening strategies; simulation