1550 Background: Little literature exists on primary care providers’ knowledge and preferences towards breast cancer screening for high-risk women. While guidelines recommend MRI and mammography, it is unclear how frequently these recommendations are used. Methods: This web-based survey of providers licensed to practice in Minnesota was conducted. This analysis focuses on breast cancer screening practices for high-risk women. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics; professional characteristic comparisons were conducted using Chi-squared tests. Results: 805 of 10,392 (8%) invitees completed the survey. 72.2% were female. 43.9% were physicians (20.8% internists, 71.7% family medicine, 6.3% gynecology), 11.4% physician assistants (PAs), 44.8% advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). 84.8% were in community practice, 38% > 20 years of experience and 27.1% < 10 years. When asked how effective screening was for reducing cancer mortality in high risk women, mammography was thought to be very effective (48.8%) or effective (46.8%) in women ages 40-49 years, for women ages 50+ years, 60.8% and 35.7%, respectively. 62.4% thought breast MRI was very effective in reducing cancer mortality in high risk women. There was no difference in breast MRI recommendation based on professional background, experience or practice setting. Female practitioners, less experience, and those working in gynecology or women’s health were more likely to recommend breast MRI. A case vignette for high risk screening cancer survivors is provided (Table). Conclusions: Most primary care providers believe mammography is helpful in women at high risk for developing breast cancer. Less than half of practitioners, however, are following guideline specific recommendations of both mammography and MRI for breast cancer screening in high-risk patients. [Table: see text]
Breast cancer screening in high risk women
