Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 64. No. 1, 2025.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2025.64.01.09
How to Reach 70% Response Rate in the National Breast Cancer Screening Program in Croatia?
Jasmina Kovačević
; Institute of Public Health of Požega-Slavonija County, Požega, Croatia
Vera Musil
; Institute of Public Health of Zagreb County, Zaprešić, Croatia; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, School of Public Health “Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Slavica Sović
; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, School of Public Health “Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Croatia
Dejvid Zombori
; Institute of Public Health of Požega-Slavonija County, Požega, Croatia
Vesna Jureša
; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, School of Public Health “Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Croatia; Teaching Institute of Public Health “Dr. Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
A mammography response rate exceeding 70% is one of the parameters for monitoring
the success of a national breast cancer screening program (BCS). The aim was to explore the
potential for improving the response rate in the BCS in Croatia, based on the accuracy of the invitation
database and availability of mammography services. In this cross-sectional study, data from the fifth and
sixth implementation cycles were collected through a questionnaire from the BCS county coordinators
(N=21). The quality of the invitation database and the number of available mammography appointments
were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel. Seventeen percent of women were not available at the address
listed in the database and could not be invited for mammography, with variations observed across
counties ranging from 31% (Lika-Senj County) to 7% (Krapina-Zagorje County). Only eight counties
had a sufficient number of mammography appointments for initial and repeat invitations. With a higher
estimate of unavailable women by counties at the end of the fifth cycle, the response rate at the end of
the cycle was lower (ρ=-0.51, p=0.018). In conclusion, participation in the BCS could be increased with
a more accurate invitation database, thereby freeing up additional mammography appointments for both
initial and repeat invitations.
Keywords
Breast cancer; Cancer screening program; Improvement
Hrčak ID:
335510
URI
Publication date:
31.3.2025.
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