NATIONAL-HEALTH-SERVICE BREAST SCREENING-PROGRAM RESULTS FOR 1991-2

Objectives-To report the results of the NHS breast screening programme for the year March 1991 to April 1992. Design-A report of statistics was derived from Korner (K62) returns and from the radiology quality a ssurance programme. Main outcome measures-Detection rates for breast c ancer and small (less-than-or-equal-to 10 mm diameter) invasive cancer , benign biopsy rates, and recall and acceptance rates. Results-The ac ceptance rate for screening across the United Kingdom was 71.3%. The r eferral rate for further investigation was 6.2% (regional 4.3-9.0%). T he breast cancer detection rate was 6.2 cancers per 1000 women screene d (5.1-9.0) and the detection rate of invasive cancers less-than-or-eq ual-to 10 mm was 1.4/1000 (1.0-2.3). 72% of screening programmes reach ed the target 70% acceptance rate, and 95% of programmes achieved a re call rate of less than 10%. 75% of programmes had a cancer detection r ate of more than 5/1000, but only 32% had a detection rate for invasiv e cancers less-than-or-equal-to 10 mm of more than 1.5/1000. Conclusio ns-Overall, the results of the screening programme for the year 1991-2 can be regarded as extremely satisfactory, given the size and complex ity of the operation.