Abstract
Objective: Breast cancer often affects working females, but its screening is infrequently performed in the occupational health field. In this workplace, we introduced screening for breast cancer by mammography(MMG). Subjects and Methods: In a certain company with 850 employees including 426 females(meanage,38.1 ± 7.8years), females who wanted to undergo screening for breast cancer were evaluated as the subjects. Screening was initiated in 2002. Prior to screening, an educational lecture about breast cancer was given. For screening, visual inspection/palpation and MMG were performed by specialists using a mobile van. Results: The number of females who attended the lecture in 2002 was 77(18.3%), and that of females who underwent screening for breast cancer was 176(41.3%)in 2002,175(41.1%)in 2003, and 201(47.2%)in 2004. During the 3-yearperiod, “ No abnormality/no need for further examination ” was observed in a total of 497females(84.6%). “ Need for further examination ” was observed in a total of 55females(15.4%), all of whom underwent close examination in medical institutions, but none of them were diagnosed as having breast cancer. Conclusions: The mean screening rate during the 3-year period in this company was about 3.3 times that reported in elderly health care projects. Though the cost was paid by individuals, and screening was performed during non-working hours, the screening rate was high probably because of the needs associated with the aging of employees in this company. At present,3 years after the introduction of screening, the high screening rate is being maintained, showing that screening has taken root in this company. In the present occupational health field, screening for breast cancer is infrequently performed. However, the promotion of preventive management against breast cancer is important, and both education and screening by MMG are necessary.
