Surveillance mammography after treatment for primary breast cancer

News release from the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment

12 September 2008

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme has commissioned a new study to identify the most effective and efficient surveillance methods for women who have received treatment for primary breast cancer. There are 45,000 new cases in the UK each year and although the majority of women never experience a recurrence, it does return in approximately 25 per cent of women. The majority of these recurrences are found during the first three years after treatment.

It is generally accepted that early diagnosis is a key factor influencing survival from breast cancer, with an 81 per cent reduction in mortality compared with women who were identified with more advanced stages. A recurrence of breast cancer might be found either by physical examination or by mammography, a process which uses low-dose X-rays to examine the breast. There is, however, no general agreement as to the best way to monitor patients for recurrence or how often women should receive X-rays.

The study, lead by Professor Fiona Gilbert of the University of Aberdeen is re-examining the data from existing research studies as well as data from clinicians and hospitals to assess the potential for reducing mortality through earlier detection of breast cancer while also considering the potential harms. The project will also investigate the cost-effectiveness of using mammography on a regular basis to identify the most appropriate method and recurrence.

Professor Gilbert says, “The key factor is to identify the best method for mammographic surveillance for patients after breast cancer treatment. In addition, we aim to look at alternative methods over the next three years to ascertain the most effective procedure for aftercare treatment and to estimate the cost-effectiveness of alternative follow-up schemes. In time we hope this will lead to an improvement in survival of women through a more efficient monitoring system.”

Notes for editors


  1. The HTA programme is a programme of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and produces high quality research information about the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS. It is the largest of the NIHR programmes and publishes the results of its research in the Health Technology Assessment journal, with more than 400 issues published to date. The journal’s 2007 Impact Factor (3.87) ranked it in the top 10 per cent of medical and health-related journals. All issues are available for download free of charge from the website, www.hta.ac.uk The HTA programme is coordinated by the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment (NCCHTA), based at the University of Southampton.
  2. The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility.  The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training.  Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk

Contact details

Naomi Stockley, Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 646, Email: ns5@soton.ac.uk

Helen Nikandrou, Assistant Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 584, Email: h.nikandrou@soton.ac.uk

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