Research in BreastScreen Norway
Below you can read about selected research topics in BreastScreen Norway.
You will also find information about a questionnaire survey, Q2006, in which over 600,000 women attending BreastScreen Norway have participated.
Artificial intelligence in mammographic screening
In recent years, studies have shown promising results for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in mammographic screening, for example as a tool to support the radiologists in their assessment of mammograms. In BreastScreen Norway, a number of studies are underway to explore how this technology can be used, the advantages and disadvantages of using it, and how AI could be implemented in the screening programme in a safe and effective way.
Read more:
- Development of AI algorithms in BreastScreen Norway
- Advantages and disadvantages of AI in BreastScreen Norway
- BADDI - Artificial intelligence in screening with standard mammography and tomosynthesis
- AIMS Norway: A randomized controlled trial
The future screening program
Can BreastScreen Norway be improved by offering personalized screening, so-called stratified or risk-based screening? Such a screening program could for example offer screening to certain groups of women more or less frequently than the standard two-year interval, based on their risk of developing breast cancer. We explore various factors, including the importance of mammographic density, new screening techniques such as tomosynthesis, and new opportunities that may follow the use of machine learning and AI.
Read more:
- PERMS-0: Pilot project for personalized mammographic screening in Norway
- Effectiveness of tomosynthesis in breast cancer screening
Slow growing breast cancer and overdiagnosis
How many slow growing breast cancers – often called overdiagnosed or overtreated cancers – are detected through BreastScreen Norway? Which methods are most suitable for estimating this? Can we obtain more accurate estimates of overdiagnosis than those available today? How does breast cancer progress without treatment? How does ductal carcinoma in situ progress? How does this relate to slow-growing invasive cancers and breast cancer overtreatment? Much of the research about biological development of DCIS and invasive breast cancer occurs through cooperation with the Oslo Breast Cancer Research Consortium (OSBREAC) and BreastScreen Norway’s specialist group for pathology.
Read more:
- How quickly do breast cancers grow?
- Overdiagsnosis in breast cancer screening, REK number 2017/474 (external page)
- Cellular changes in the breast - factors of importance for the development of breast cancer, REK number 2012/576 (external page)
Quality of life and long-term effects of breast cancer treatment
How is women’s quality of life after being diagnosed with and treated for screen-detected breast cancer? Do these women experience different long-term effects from their treatment compared to women diagnosed with symptomatic breast cancer?
Read more:
- Long-term effects following treatment of screen-detected versus symptomatic breast cancer
- Quality-adjusted life years among women in BreastScreen Norway, REK number 77226 (external page)
Breast compression, pain and discomfort
How much pain and discomfort do women experience when attending mammographic screening? Can certain factors affect how women experience of pain and discomfort? What is the optimal amount of compression to apply during a screening exam?
Mammographic screening, breast cancer, and sociodemographic factors
Sociodemographic factors affect women’s participation in mammographic screening. Studies have shown that immigrant women have lower attendance at BreastScreen Norway than non-immigrant women do, and that attendance varies within immigrant populations. Are there also differences in the types of breast cancer tumours detected among immigrant and non-immigrant women through screening? If so, how does this affect their prognosis? Further, what perspectives do immigrant women have about breast cancer and BreastScreen Norway? What kind of information do they need?
Read more:
Other ongoing project with approval from Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REK)
Q-2006: An epidemiological questionnaire
An epidemiological questionnaire was sent to women in the target group of BreastScreen Norway between 1 August 2006 and 31 December 2015. The questionnaire was sent together with the invitation to mammographic screening. On this page you can read more about the survey and the information collected, as well as the legislation that regulates further storage and use of the information.
