Audit system on Quality of breast cancer diagnosis and Treatment (QT): results of quality indicators on screen-detected lesions in Italy, 2007.

This survey, conducted by the Italian Breast Screening Network (GISMa), collects individual data yearly on about 50% of all screen-detected, operated lesions in Italy. The 2007 results show good overall quality of diagnosis and treatment and an improving trend over time. Critical issues were identified concerning waiting times, compliance with the recommendations on not performing frozen section examination on small lesions and on performing specimen X-rays.

High sensitivity of five colorectal screening programmes with faecal immunochemical test in the Veneto Region, Italy.

Objective: Although guaiac-based faecal occult blood test screening has been shown to be effective in reducing colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality, it has been criticised mostly for its low sensitivity. Italian CRC screening programmes are based on immunochemical tests (iFOBT). We collected and analysed the interval cancers (ICs) found by five screening programmes to estimate their sensitivity.

Audit system on Quality of breast cancer diagnosis and Treatment (QT): results of quality indicators on screen-detected lesions in Italy for 2006 and preliminary results for 2007.

Within this survey, conducted by the Italian Breast Screening Network (Gruppo Italiano per lo Screening Mammografico, GISMa), individual data are collected yearly on more than 50% of all screen-detected operated lesions in Italy. In 2006, results showed overall good diagnosis and treatment quality and an improving trend over time. Critical issues were identified in waiting times, compliance with recommendations on not performing frozen section examination on small lesions and on performing specimen X-ray.

Audit system on quality of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment (QT): results of quality indicators on screen-detected lesions in Italy in 2005 and preliminary results for 2006.

Within this survey, conducted by the Italian Group of Mammography Screening (GISMa), individual data are collected yearly on more than 50% of all screen-detected operated lesions in Italy. In 2005, results showed overall good diagnosis and treatment quality, and an improving trend over time. Critical issues were identified in waiting times, compliance with the recommendations on not performing frozen section examination on small lesions and on performing specimen X-ray.

Screening for colorectal cancer in Italy: 2006 survey.

We present the main results of the third survey of the Italian screening programmes for colorectal cancer carried out by the ONS (Osservatorio Nazionale Screening, National Centre for Screening Monitoring) on behalf of the Ministry of Health. During 2006, many new programmes were activated and by the end of the year, 44% of Italians aged 50-69 years were residing in areas covered by organised screening programmes (theoretical extension). Five regions had their entire population covered.

[Interval cancers as indicators of performance in screening programmes].

GISMa analyses the interval cancer (IS) topic providing guidelines and reference standards in addition to CE recommendations. IC identification is based on Cancer Registries (CR), if existing, or on hospital discharge records, in alternative. The optimal measure of IC frequency (inversely correlated with sensitivity) is the IC proportional incidence (observed IC/carcinomas expected in absence of screening).

Audit system on quality of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment (QT): results from the survey on screen-detected lesions in Italy, 2004.

Within this survey, conducted by the Italian Group for Mammography Screening (GISMa), individual data are collected yearly on more than 50% of all screen-detected operated lesions in Italy. In 2004, overall results show a good diagnosis and treatment quality and an improving trend over time. Critical issues have been identified in waiting times, compliance to the recommendations on not performing frozen section examination on small lesions and on performing specimen X-ray.

Screening for colorectal cancer in Italy: 2005 survey.

We present the main results from the second survey of the Italian screening programmes for colorectal cancer carried out by the National Centre for Screening Monitoring on behalf of the Ministry of Health. During 2005, 52 programmes, adopting faecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy (FS), or a combination of both, were active in Italy. Overall, 827,473 subjects were invited to FOBT and 376,240 were screened; the adjusted attendance rate (47.

[Recommendations of a national Italian consensus conference on the opportunity of extending screening service by mammography to 40-49 and 70-74 years of age women].

The Italian Mammography Screening Network (GISMa) held a national consensus conference in Bologna, May 25-26 2006. The large panel of participants included national experts in fields related to breast cancer and screening issues. The final aim was the production of a consensus statement which might become a standard reference for Italy.

Audit system on Quality of breast cancer diagnosis and Treatment (QT): results from the survey on screen-detected lesions in Italy, 2003-2004.

Within the Italian Breast Screening Network, individual data are collected yearly on about 50% of all screen-detected operated lesions. In 2003 results showed a good overall quality of diagnosis and treatment, and an improving trend over time. Critical issues were identified in the number of cancers diagnosed pre-operatively, which is still below standards, and in the waiting times for surgery.

Screening for colorectal cancer in Italy: 2004 survey.

We present the main results of the first national survey of organised screening programmes, conducted by the Italian Group for Colorectal Cancer Screening (GISCoR). During 2004, 18 programs, adopting faecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy (FS), or a combination of both, were active in Italy. Overall, 331,333 subjects were invited to undergo FOBT and 165,480 were screened; the attendance rate (51.

Quality control of mammography screening in the Veneto Region. Evaluation of four programs at a local health unit level--analysis of the frequency and diagnostic pattern of interval cancers.

Aims And Background: Service mammography screening has been reported to have suboptimal performance compared to controlled trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of the mammography screening program in four Local Health Units (ASL) and the possible causes of diagnostic error in cases further surfacing as interval cancers.

Material And Methods: Interval cancers were identified by cross checking of screened women databases with hospital discharge records reporting breast cancer.

Stage-specific incidence of breast cancer before the beginning of organized screening programs in Italy.

Objective: To measure stage-specific geographic and time variability of breast cancer in seven Italian areas before the onset of organized screening programs.

Methods: All invasive cancers (8689 cases) arising in women aged 40-79 years during the pre-screening period 1985-1997, were considered. Multiple Poisson regression analysis was performed.