Development of a breast cancer screening protocol to use automated breast ultrasound in a local setting

INTRODUCTION: The sensitivity of mammography screening is lower in women with dense breast. Increasing the efficacy of breast cancer screening have received special attention recently. The automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) shows promising results to complement mammography. Our aim was to expand the existing breast cancer screening protocol with ABUS within a Hungarian pilot project. METHODS: First, we developed a protocol for the screening process focusing on integrating ABUS to the current practice. Consensus among clinical experts was achieved considering information from the literature and the actual opportunities of the hospital. Then we developed a protocol for evaluation that ensures systematic data collection and monitoring of screening with mammography and ABUS. We identified indicators based on international standards and adapted them to local setting. We considered their feasibility from the data source and timeframe perspective. The protocol was developed in a partnership of researchers, clinicians and hospital managers. RESULTS: The process of screening activity was described in a detailed flowchart. Human and technological resource requirements and communication activities were defined. We listed 23 monitoring indicators to evaluate the screening program and checked the feasibility to calculate these indicators based on local data collection and other sources. Partnership between researchers experienced in planning and evaluating screening programs, interested clinicians, and hospital managers resulted in a locally implementable, evidence-based screening protocol. DISCUSSION: The experience and knowledge gained on the implementation of the ABUS technology could generate real-world data to support the decision on using the technology at national level.