Breast Cancer Screening Programmes across the WHO European Region: Differences among Countries Based on National Income Level

Emma Altobelli, Leonardo Rapacchietta, Paolo Matteo Angeletti, Luca Barbante, Filippo Valerio Profeta and Roberto Fagnano
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Emma Altobelli: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Leonardo Rapacchietta: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Paolo Matteo Angeletti: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Luca Barbante: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Filippo Valerio Profeta: Department of Community Health, Local Health Unit 4, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Roberto Fagnano: Local Health Unit 4, 64100 Teramo, Italy

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-24

Abstract: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent tumour affecting women all over the world. In low- and middle-income countries, where its incidence is expected to rise further, BC seems set to become a public health emergency. The aim of the present study is to provide a systematic review of current BC screening programmes in WHO European Region to identify possible patterns. Multiple correspondence analysis was performed to evaluate the association among: measures of occurrence; GNI level; type of BC screening programme; organization of public information and awareness campaigns regarding primary prevention of modifiable risk factors; type of BC screening services; year of screening institution; screening coverage and data quality. A key difference between High Income (HI) and Low and Middle Income (LMI) States, emerging from the present data, is that in the former screening programmes are well organized, with approved screening centres, the presence of mobile units to increase coverage, the offer of screening tests free of charge; the fairly high quality of occurrence data based on high-quality sources, and the adoption of accurate methods to estimate incidence and mortality. In conclusion, the governments of LMI countries should allocate sufficient resources to increase screening participation and they should improve the accuracy of incidence and mortality rates.

Keywords: breast cancer; screening programme; WHO European Region; income (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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