A Study to Evaluate the Actual Situation of Breast Cancer Screening for Young Adults and Its Benefits and Disadvantages

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24275
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0908:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: National Cancer Center Japan
• Principal Investigator: Matsumoto Akiko 国立研究開発法人国立がん研究センター, がん対策研究所, 特任研究員 (50847556)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 乳がん検診 / 若年者

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Using data collected from large screening centers, we analyzed breast cancer screening results by modality among 30-year-old women. 30-year-olds had a lower cancer detection rate than 40-year-olds, and a higher percentage of women underwent invasive examinations after a screening decision was made. In particular, invasive examinations after ultrasound examinations were significantly more frequent, with a high rate of 41.9%. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the actual opinions of young women regarding why they underwent breast cancer screening. As a result, the main reason for women in their 30s to undergo breast cancer screening was the recommended action by their companies and local governments. It was found that the recommendations were not medically valid, resulting in disadvantages such as unnecessary invasive tests.

Free Research Field

がん検診

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、30歳代女性は所属企業や自治体からの勧奨により科学的根拠のない乳がん検診を受診している可能性が高く、がん検診本来の役割であるがん発見につながらない不要な侵襲的検査が多く行われていることが明らかとなった。集団に対しがん検診を提供する場合には利益が不利益を上回る科学的根拠が不可欠である。がん検診の実施主体が、本来不要ながん検診をとりやめる一助となりうる研究である。