Abstract
We conducted a comparative study of breast cancer mass screening by the Tokyo Health Service Association for the regional and working population. The mammographic screening rate has been over 90% for all examinees since 2004, and the rate of inspection and palpation has been almost 0% in the regional population, although the rate was still 24% of all screenings among the working population even in 2006. In the working population the average age at which breast cancer screening was done was younger than in the regional population. The proportion of the population under 40 was 38.4% in 2003 and 35.7% in 2006, and in this population the rates of mammography, ultrasonography, and inspection and palpation were almost the same. This suggests a degree of confusion about breast cancer screening among younger women. The breast cancer detection rate was significantly better in the regional than in the working population. However, there was no significant difference in the rate between the two populations in the 40- to 59- year age range.
In conclusion, the breast cancer screening system for the regional population has been improved as a result of the official notices of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. On the other hand, the data for the working population have not been favorable because of age-related factors and the methods used for screening. It will be necessary to refine the screening system for the working population to improve not only screening efficacy but also the breast cancer mortality rate.
