Screening mammography program of British Columbia.

In an attempt to diagnose breast carcinoma as early as possible, a government-funded screening mammography program in British Columbia discovered 29 malignancies in the first 7,100 women screened. The program was carefully planned by a group consisting of representatives of all appropriate constituents. The screenees have demonstrated the anticipated increased frequency with increasing age and risk factors; in addition, the frequency of diagnosis is markedly lower in screenees who have had mammograms within the 2 previous years. Exclusive of equipment costs, amortization, and data processing, the cost per study is $33.81 (Canadian), resulting in a cost of $8,277.62 for each case diagnosed. This includes, for each study, an administrative fee of $1.00 as well as $1.00 devoted to continuing education for the reading radiologists. The success of the program has resulted in encouragement from the Health Ministry to expand rapidly throughout the Province, including use of a mobile van in more remote areas. Continued monitoring and peer review will ensure standard quality control in all of the screening facilities.