Monitoring Screening Practices
Screening is a key aspect of cancer control. Screening surveillance
is performed to evaluate, monitor, and improve screening programs
and practices in order to increase the early detection rates of
cancer. The RRSS initiative has funded a variety of studies to monitor
screening.
RRSS investigators are conducting pilot/feasibility studies to:
- evaluate the feasibility of developing a population-based mammography
surveillance system to evaluate the quality of breast cancer screening;
- assess the diffusion of Spiral Computed Tomography (CT), which
may be able to detect lung cancer at an early, curable stage;
- examine issues surrounding colorectal cancer screening, including:
- the use of sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy tests;
- the population effects of colorectal cancer screening, specifically
flexible sigmoidoscopy; and
- the methods of obtaining colorectal cancer screening history;
- monitor prostate cancer screening, including:
- the use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests; and
- the experience of men following a negative prostate biopsy,
including their exposure to subsequent PSA screening, needle
biopsies, diagnosis of prostate cancer, and treatment.
Registries Funded to Conduct these Studies
Detroit (Metropolitan)
Los Angeles
Iowa
New Mexico
Northern California Cancer Center (SF-OAK)
Seattle (Puget Sound)
Key Findings
Investigators determine that it was feasible to link cancer registries
with mammography facilities to investigate the quality of screening
programs.
The establishment of a Colorectal Cancer Screening database using
electronic records proved more difficult than anticipated because
investigators were unable to determine from these records whether
the sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy was for screening or diagnostic
purposes. The database of patients having sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
was subsequently linked to a SEER cancer registry.
Future Use
Research in this area led to the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium
(BCSC) (UO1 (Cooperative Agreement)). The BCSC enhances the understanding of breast cancer screening practices,
the quality of screening programs and impact on breast cancer stage and survival. Findings will improve the
quality of mammography for women in the US.
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