| Countries
compared |
First
national
pro-
gram |
Age
group
screened (years) |
Time
interval
between
MM
(years) |
Detec-tion
method |
Organized
around the
country |
Type of
MM
scree-ning
centre |
% target
popu-lation
within
screening
program |
| Sweden |
1986 |
50-69 |
2 |
MM |
Partially
centra-lized |
DMC |
100% |
| Canada |
1988 |
50-69 |
2 |
MM
CBE
BSE |
De-
centra-lized |
DMC |
< 25% |
| United States |
1991 |
40-50
50+ |
1
1-2 |
MM CBE BSE |
Partially
centra-lized |
DMC
GR
M |
20-50% |
| United Kingdom |
1988 |
50-64 |
3 |
MM |
Partially
centra-lized |
DMC
M |
100% |
First national mammography screening programs for four countries on two continents are compared for the period of our study, including initial years, target age groups,
time intervals between screenings, and type of detection (MM, mammography screening; CBE, clinical breast examination; BSE, breast self-examination). Screening
center administrations that were partly centralized were administrated regionally; guided by national policies but with regional funding and administration. Types of facilities
were DMC, dedicated mammography screening center, GR, general radiology department; M, mobile unit (from ref. 12). |