Effect of Reminder Telephone Calls on Mammography Compliance in High Risk Women

摘要

Even though mammography has been proven to be effective in reducing breast cancer mortality this simple screening measure is underutilized by women who are at an inordinately high risk for developing breast cancer. The effect of a reminder telephone call intervention has not been studied in this high- risk population where the need for compliance is crucial. The hypothesis for this study is that a simple reminder telephone call will significantly increase mammography frequency in high-risk women compared to a control group. Four- hundred and forty-seven women consented to participate in the study. interestingly 346 (77%) reported obtaining annual mammography for at least the past two years. Subjects who were non-compliant by self-report (n=32) were randomized to the intervention or control group. Reminder and follow-up telephone calls were completed on 31 women randomized to the study. A statistical difference (p=O.OOl7) was observed between the two groups. These findings support the hypothesis that mammography compliance in high risk women can be increased if an intervention such as a simple reminder call is implemented thereby leading to an early diagnosis and potential cure. Future studies should aim to increase the number of subjects and determine barriers in obtaining mammograms in these high risk individuals.