Breast Screenings Services Increased in VA

In 2007, Breast Cancer Initiative was started.

In the last five years, services for screening and treatment of breast cancer have been increased in the U. S, but with this the time taken for the treatment also increased at one hospital.

In a study conducted by Baltimore Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center, it was found that although the number of mammograms conducted after 2007 increased, yet it took women an extra 18 days for getting the treatment after the diagnose. Since 2007 screening and treatment of breast cancer has been given a priority in the hospitals.

The main objective of this study was to find out that with the rise in number of women receiving screening and treatment in made any kind of impact on the time taken for treatment after the positive diagnosis of the disease.

The survey revealed that before this breast cancer initiative, 33 days was the usual time period between the positive diagnosis and the treatment, however, after the initiative since more women came for the screening, this time period extended to an average of 51 days.

It was found that between year 2002 and 2012, as many as 7,355 mammograms were carried out by the Baltimore VA Medical Center and more than 90% of the total number were performed after 2007.

The survey included all the women turning to VA from the rural medical centers. According to the researchers the time gap could also have increased due to the need of second mammograms as well.

Source: topnews.us