Mammography for elderly women

Overview

Breast carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignant neoplasms of women in the Czech Republic. Mammography, together with self-examination and clinical tests, has improved early detection and significantly reduced mortality.

The author presents experiences from one breast tumour screening programme, which, between 2002 and 2005, screened 19 115 women between the ages of 45 and 49 who were insured through HZP (Metallurgical employee’s insurance company).

Analysis of the data from the computer system by a physician in cooperation with a system’s programmer showed an increased interest in mammary screening and an annual rise in financial contributions from the public health insurance company. However, this trend for increased concern about mammography was not seen in elderly women.

As with other long-term studies into preventative checks-up, interest in mammography decreases upon retirement. A malignant neoplasm was detected by mammography in 22 cases–and its stage of malignancy recognised. In the long-term, information gathered from check-ups and analysis may help improve the quality of the screening service in the Czech Republic. Preventative checks-up and mammary screening throughout a woman’s life is considered extremely important for secondary prevention as part of primary care.

Keywords:
Secondary prevention, breast carcinoma, mammography, elderly women, check-up.