COVID-19 - pandemic effect in the organized breast cancer screening program in Croatia

ConclusionsLower response rate in the sixth BCSP invitation round was observed with similar invitation coverage. There was 11.8% less mammography examinations done in relation to the 5th and 0.3% less than in the 4th invitation round. Response rate to the invitation letter was higher in the sixth in relation to the previous rounds. Explanations for the observed differences could be lower number of mammography examinations done on the doctor's referral, less available terms in mammography units and consequently less second invitation letters sent because of the epidemiological measures. Intensive public health campaign and more mammography unit terms, including mobile mammography units, are needed in order to return the invitation and response rates to the pre-pandemic values.Key messagesCOVID-19 pandemic caused 5.7% lower response rate and 11.8% less mammography examinations in BCSP.In order to close the observed gap in the BCSP response rate, more mammography unit terms are needed to be available followed by the intensive public health campaign.
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research