LAUSR

Background: Breast cancer screening is effective in reducing breast cancer mortality, but there is increasing concern that it may also lead to overdiagnosis; the detection and treatment of a cancer that would never have presented symptomatically during the woman's lifetime. Conservative management of low-risk breast cancer may reduce the harm of overdiagnosis resulting from mammographic screening programs, yet little is known about how such strategies might impact upon quality of life. Aim: To quantify women's preferences for managing low risk breast cancers identified by breast cancer screening. Methods: Utilities (measures of preference) were obtained from women with and without a history of breast cancer for seven health states reflecting low risk screen detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) using standard gambles. Demographics and a history of prior screening participation or breast cancer diagnosis were examined as predictors of screening and treatment pathway preferences. Results: Utilities were ...