The relation of breast cancer staging to screening protocol compliance: a computer simulation study.

A computer model based on relational database techniques was used to analyze the relationship between staging and population compliance to a breast cancer screening protocol. Stage distribution data permitted estimates of compliance to the protocol. This relationship followed the equation y=5.83e-2.44x where y was compliance and x was disease stage. Application of this equation to SEER and NCDB data estimated that the levels of compliance never exceeded 16 percent. Results indicated increasing clinical Stage IV disease as population compliance decreased. As the clinical staging increased there was increased sub-clinical Stage IV disease. With regular screening, simulation suggested that mortality would decrease.