Abstract
A new system of postcard notification and individual screening was introduced for breast cancer screening in Onojo city, in which our clinic specializing in breast cancer participated for the first time.
There were 2,191 citywide examinees in 2020, which significantly increased from 1,656 in 2019. Overall, 398 examinees (18.2%) visited our clinic. The low rates of examinees with an appropriate screening interval (50.3%) and breast self−examination rate (38.4%) suggested insufficient breast cancer awareness. The process index for screening at our clinic were as follows: cancer detection rate: 3/398 (0.75%), including 2 cases with early breast cancer; recall rate: 12.3%; work−up examination rate; 95.5%; and positive predictive value: 6.8%. Definitive diagnosis using core needle biopsy after recall in our clinic contributed to patients with breast cancer being immediately introduced to a surgical facility (31 days in our clinic vs. 71.4 days after screening at other facilities).The questionnaire indicated that individual notifications was motivating factors for screening.
In conclusion, the number of citywide examinees significantly increased by the introduction of this new system. Several advantages of an individual screening at our clinic were also recognized.
The higher recall rate (12.3%), a demerit of individual screening, can be improved by comparative readings from upcoming continuous screening at our clinic.
