Feasibility of Prospective Assignment of Initial Method of Detection of Breast Cancer: A Multicenter Pilot Study

Objective: To determine the feasibility of standardized, prospective assignment of initial method of detection (MOD) of breast cancer by radiologists in diverse practice settings. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study analyzed the rate of assignment of MOD in four geographically varied health systems. A universal protocol for basic MOD assignment was agreed upon by the authors before start of the pilot study. Radiologists at each site were instructed how to assign MOD. Charts were then reviewed to determine the frequency and accuracy of MOD assignment for all cases subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. When available, data regarding frequency of tumor registry abstraction were also reviewed for frequency and accuracy. Results: A total of 2,328 patients with a new diagnosis of breast cancer were evaluated across the sites over the study period. Of these patients, initial MOD was prospectively assigned by the radiologist in 94% of cases. Of the cases in which MOD was assigned, retrospective review confirmed accurate assignment in 96% of cases. Conclusions: Prospective, standardized assignment of initial MOD of breast cancer is feasible across different practice sites and can be accurately captured in tumor registries. Standard collection of MOD would provide critical data about the impact of screening mammography in the United States.