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46m ago

Missing First Mammogram Linked to 40% Higher Breast Cancer Mortality, BMJ Study Finds

A decades-long Swedish cohort links skipping the initial invite to later-stage diagnoses, signaling the first screening as a critical moment for outreach.

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Overview

  • Analyzing nearly 433,000 women first invited between 1991 and 2020, researchers found that 32% missed their initial mammogram and were less likely to attend future screenings.
  • Over 25 years, breast cancer deaths reached 9.9 per 1,000 among first-screen nonparticipants versus 7 per 1,000 among attendees.
  • Overall breast cancer incidence was similar in both groups, but nonparticipants faced higher odds of advanced disease at diagnosis, including about 1.5 times higher for stage III and up to 3.6 times higher for stage IV.
  • The authors conclude the mortality gap likely reflects delayed detection and propose targeted reminders and support at the first invitation to boost uptake.
  • The study is observational and may not generalize to all health systems; in related context, NHS England reports about 70% screening uptake as of March 2024.