AIM: To review the international evidence on the benefits and harms of different screening intervals for women aged 45 to 49 years, and to inform the development of a national policy. METHODS: A systematic search and review of the literature, up to March 2005. RESULTS: There is no robust trial evidence on which to base a decision on the most appropriate breast-cancer screening interval for women aged 45 to 49 years, and it is unlikely that definitive trial evidence will ever emerge. Evidence from less robust studies is equivocal. CONCLUSION: In the absence of definitive evidence, those charged with determining the screening interval for women aged 45 to 49 years in a breast-cancer screening programme have to weigh up the available evidence, and consider it alongside other relevant factors. A two-yearly screening interval for women aged 45 to 49 was decided upon, and became policy in New Zealand.
AIM: To review the international evidence on the benefits and harms of different screening intervals for women aged 45 to 49 years, and to inform the development of a national policy. METHODS: A systematic search and review of the literature, up to March 2005. RESULTS: There is no robust trial evidence on which to base a decision on the most appropriate breast-cancer screening interval for women aged 45 to 49 years, and it is unlikely that definitive trial evidence will ever emerge. Evidence from less robust studies is equivocal. CONCLUSION: In the absence of definitive evidence, those charged with determining the screening interval for women aged 45 to 49 years in a breast-cancer screening programme have to weigh up the available evidence, and consider it alongside other relevant factors. A two-yearly screening interval for women aged 45 to 49 was decided upon, and became policy in New Zealand.