Breast cancer diagnosis among women aged 75 and over: study on information delivered by organized breast cancer screening agencies to women reaching the limit age

Background. Breast cancer among older women is a major and increasing public health issue. No clear recommendation has been established in France after 74 years, the age limit for state-organised screening program. A survey was performed among all regional agencies in charge of the breast screening to analyse which information is delivered to women reaching the age of 75 years. Methods. A postal survey sent to 91 French organised cancer screening agencies. Results. Among the 89 agencies that answered, only 22 deliver a systematic written information. Twelve suggest that mammographic screening should be continued, and five mention clinical examination. Twenty agencies dispatch the screening to general practitionners or gynaecologists. Two information letters insist on the ongoing risk of breast cancer. Most of the written information is given with the last mammography report. No impact study has ever been performed. Conclusion. In our study, only 25% of the screening agencies give systematic information to women. The modalities and the substance of this information are heterogeneous. A better information seems to be a key-point for earlier clinical breast cancer diagnosis among older women, for whom there is little direct evidence of the benefit of systematic mammographic screening.