Abstract
With the aim of introducing screening mammography in Japan, we have investigated the number of mammographic apparatuses, photographers and interpreting physicians using mailed questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed to 2, 380 facilities and the members of breast cancer screening-related medical societies including the Japan Association of Breast Cancer Screening, the Japan Breast Cancer Society and the Japan Radiological Society (JRS). Sixty-seven percent of the facilities intended to utilize mammography for breast cancer screening. However, only 42% of the facilities had mammography facilities that were accredited by the JRS. The film sensitivity was increased 1.72.5-fold as compared with the conventional Min-R/Min-R system, indicating that the radiation risk would be markedly decreased. In 827 hospitals, photographers were engaged in mammography. A total of 2, 576 physicians stated that they would be happy to interpret mammograms if screening mammography could be conducted. An educational system should be programmed to ensure quality control for photographers and interpreting physicians.
