Overcoming Overdiagnosis: Women´s Preferences for Improving Breast Cancer Screening

Background: Breast cancer screening is effective in reducing breast cancer mortality, but there is increasing concern that it may also lead to overdiagnosis; the detection and treatment of a cancer that would never have presented symptomatically during the woman's lifetime. Conservative management of low-risk breast cancer may reduce the harm of overdiagnosis resulting from mammographic screening programs, yet little is known about how such strategies might impact upon quality of life. Aim: To quantify women's preferences for managing low risk breast cancers identified by breast cancer screening. Methods: Utilities (measures of preference) were obtained from women with and without a history of breast cancer for seven health states reflecting low risk screen detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) using standard gambles. Demographics and a history of prior screening participation or breast cancer diagnosis were examined as predictors of screening and treatment pathway preferences. Results: Utilities were lower for breast cancers treated with mastectomy or invasive adjuvant treatment. The impact of active monitoring on quality of life was comparable to breast conserving surgery, although women in both patient and general population groups rated active monitoring more favorably as the risk of disease spread was decreased. There was some variation in ratings across patients suggesting that individual risk aversion does affect preferences for the type of conservative management valued. Conclusion: Overdiagnosis remains a challenge for improving the current breast cancer screening program. Active monitoring of low risk ductal carcinoma in situ may provide an acceptable solution for reducing the impact of overdiagnosis and overtreatment resulting from breast cancer screening on quality of life.