Evaluation of benefits and risks by quality-assured mammography-screening in Germany

The introduction of a population-based, quality-assured mammography screening in Germany aims at reducing breast cancer mortality among the women entitled to benefit. Mammography is a procedure based on X-rays, and its use, therefore, is subject to the basic principles of radiological protection. SSK was directed to recommend a suitable framework for evaluating the benefits and risks of quality-assured mammography screening in Germany.

In order to permit a sustainable evaluation of benefits and risks of the German quality-assured mammography screening programme, SSK recommends that the German quality-assured mammography screening should be evaluated for efficacy by certified experts. Evaluation projects should be assigned in a transparent manner and carried out independently of those involved in the screening programme. A potential for cooperation with the epidemiological cancer registers should be ensured for those conducting the scientific (external) evaluation. All data collected for risk-benefit evaluation of the screening programme, including those arising from process evaluation procedures, should be anonymised and made available for scientific purposes.

This Recommendation has been published in volume 67 of the series “Veröffentlichungen der Strahlenschutzkommission" (Publications of the Commission on Radiological Protection).