Higher risk breast screening: cancer detection rates, recall rates, and attendance rates in Northern Ireland

AIM To evaluate the outcomes of higher risk screening in Northern Ireland (NI) and compare with the UK National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP). MATERIALS AND METHODS Higher risk breast screening commenced in NI in April 2013. Data on the programme were audited retrospectively through the Higher Risk screening centre. As there are no national standards for attendance rates and cancer detection rates, screening data and standards from the NHSBSP were used as a baseline for comparison. RESULTS Attendance rates for the higher risk screening population have increased each of the last 3 years up to 77.7%. Recall rates have improved year on year from initial 14.2%–8.6%. Cancer detection rates have varied each year with a range from 21.5 per 1,000 women screened to 30.9 per 1,000 women screened. CONCLUSION The Higher Risk Breast Screening Programme in NI represents a success story in risk stratified screening. Performance outcomes are excellent. The data outcomes may be used to inform standards of acceptable practice in the wider NHSBSP.