Interval Cancers and Duty of Candour, a UK Perspective

AbstractPurpose of ReviewInterval cancers are defined as a cancer presenting in the interval following a negative screen. Interval cancers are important because they reduce confidence in the screening programme and have relatively worse prognostic features than screen-detected cancers. This review will look at the rates of interval cancers in the UK Breast screening programme and other population-based breast screening programmes in Europe. It will discuss the latest UK classification and look at factors affecting interval cancer rates. It will examine the pathological features of interval cancers and their mortality impact. It will also discuss the introduction of Duty of Candour and its relevance and impact in breast screening.Recent FindingsIt will report on the effect of newer technologies on interval cancer rates.SummaryInterval cancers are not unexpected in population-based screening programmes. They are known to have relatively worse prognosis than screen-detected cancers and therefore the accurate monitoring of interval cancers is important both for quality improvement and education. The impact of newer technologies on interval cancer rates is currently limited as the studies are ongoing.
Source: Current Breast Cancer Reports - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research