Coverage in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme, 1996-2005: correcting for the first invitation of women between 50 and 52 years.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coverage measures the ability of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) to reach the eligible population and has a target of 70%. OBJECTIVE: To estimate coverage accurately for women aged 50-64. METHODS: Routine data from the KC63 return were used to calculate coverage for women aged 50-64 using an adjusted method that allows for the fact that women receive a first invitation to screening between 50 and 52.9 years. RESULTS: The adjusted average coverage between 1996 and 2005, for women aged 50-64 was 74.3% and the standard unadjusted average measure for the same period was 68.3%. Therefore, previous measures of coverage for this age group have underestimated coverage by approximately 9% and the adjusted figure is actually well above the target. CONCLUSION: In terms of coverage the programme has been performing better than previously reported. It is important to monitor the effect of an increasing workload on the programmes ability to re-invite women within three years of their last screen as maintaining coverage is an important factor in ensuring that the NHSBSP is effective in reducing mortality from breast cancer.