title: National Breast Cancer Screening Programme, Singapore: evaluation of participation and performance indicators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate participation rates and performance indicators in the National Breast Cancer Screening Programme, BreastScreen Singapore (BSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on women aged 40-69 screened in the period 2002-2009 was obtained from BSS and from the Singapore Cancer Registry. Participation rates and performance indicators (including screen detection rates, small tumour detection rates, recall rates, accuracy and interval cancer rates) were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BSS participation rate has remained above 10% since 2005. Based on health surveys, national mammography rates have increased from 29.7% before BSS to 39.6% in 2010 after BSS. Performance indicators, with the exception of recall rates, specificity, and interval cancer rate (for first screen), generally improved from 2002-2006 to 2007-2009 and are comparable with organized breast screening programmes in other developed countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BSS breast cancer screening coverage and rescreen rates in Singapore could be improved. Mechanisms to monitor recall rates are in place, and training opportunities are provided to aid the professional development of radiologists.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Board, Singapore loy_en_yun@hpb.gov.sg.
authors.forename: En Yun
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Loy
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Board, Singapore.
authors.forename: Darko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Molinar
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Board, Singapore.
authors.forename: Khuan Yew
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Board, Singapore.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012846:Singapore
keywords: Performance; breast screening; mammography