Mammography screening in France: Results of EDIFICE study

10701 Background: The EDIFICE study aimed to allow better understanding of population’s adhesion to the screening tests available for the 4 most frequent cancers: breast, colorectal, prostate and lung. Implementation of breast cancer screening (CS) was generalized since 2003 in France: women aged between 50 and 74 years are invited to do a mammography (M) every second year. Methods: This nationwide observational study was the first implemented in France (from January 18th to February 2nd, 2005) among a representative sample of 1504 subjects aged between 40 and 75 years including 773 women and a representative sample of 600 general practitioners (GPs). Information about participating subjects included socio-demographic characteristics, attitude towards CS and actual experience of CS, and about GPs’ medical practice regarding CS. Results: Among the 507 participating women (PW) aged between 50 and 74 years, 93% had done at least one M: 55% underwent this test on their own initiative and 45% of PW had it during a systematic screening plan. Most PW in the systematic screening (89%) had a M dating from less than 2 years vs 74% of the others (X2 = 18.9; p < 0,01). Main reasons for not performing the biennial screening test were: lack of care (18%), “it’s not a priority” (18%) and no advice from the GPs (15%). 79% of the PW had at least one M before 50 years (1st test at the mean age of 37.9±6 years). Among the 600 GPs, 68% systematically recommended M to their patients. GPs’ perceptions of the reasons for women’s avoidance of screening test were their unwillingness to be aware of M results (44%) and their belief in painful symptoms related to M (52%). Conclusions: This first nationwide study has shown the high rate of PW’s attendance at M screening. It pointed out that systematic and organized screening played a major role in regularity of screening over 2 years, and GP is a key actor in heightening public awareness. No significant financial relationships to disclose.