How should we interpret noncompliance with screening mammography?

Primary care practitioners have an important role to play in recommending breast cancer screening to patients in the target age group. In this issue of CMAJ (see pages 1335 to 1343) Dr. Marie-Dominique Beaulieu and associates report the results of a program designed to maximize utilization of screening mammography. Only two thirds of eligible women for whom screening mammography was prescribed obtained a mammogram within the 2-month study period. However, when taken in context, this compliance rate is fairly encouraging. There are many possible reasons for noncompliance such as a need for more information or for repeated suggestions. Family physicians should not become disheartened in their efforts to increase the use of screening procedures and may find that collaboration with others in giving consistent messages will help to maximize screening rates within their patient population.