Faisal Majeed Shah MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pasquale Evangelista MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Sherry Grumet MA,MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kat Power BA, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Lauren Ventola BA, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jorge G. Pardes MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the impact on recall rates for screening mammograms after the adaptation of thinkpad technology that calculates a patients risk of having a genetic mutation and lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. 

A retrospective review of recall rates for screening mammograms was obtained for each mammographer currently working at Monmouth Medical Center before and after the introduction of high risk genetic screening. Recall rates were assessed from each mammographers first day of work up to 11/22/2010. High risk genetic screening was initiated on 11/23/2010 and rates of recall were evaluated from 11/23/2011 to 3/18/2011. The number of patients referred for genetic screening was evaluated. 

The number of screening mammograms performed before 11/23/2010 was 26824. The overall recall rate was 8.59%. From 11/23/2010 to 3/18/2011, the number of screening mammograms performed was 4,535. After the introduction of high risk genetic risk screening, the overall recall rate was 9.77%. For three mammographers, the recall rates went up by 1.42%, 1.66%, and 3.54%. The fourth mammographer saw a decline in recall rate by 1.91%.  The number of patients referred for high risk screening from 11/23/2010 to 3/18/2011 was 559. 

The introduction of high risk genetic screening had an impact on the recall rate for all mammographers at our institution. The recall rates of 3 physicians increased, with an average increase of 2.21%. The fourth physician saw a drop of 1.91%.  Since the introduction of high risk screening, 559 out of 4535 patients have been referred for further evaluation to a genetics counselor. This represents 12.32% of patients that underwent a screening mammogram.   

The addition of genetic risk assessment to annual mammograms may affect recall rates. The effect on recall rates and subsequent impact on morbidity and mortality represents a new area of inquiry.

Shah, F, Evangelista, P, Grumet, S, Power, K, Ventola, L, Pardes, J, The Effect of the High-Risk Genetic Screening on Recall Rates for Screening Mammograms.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11034580.html