Potential Roles of Screening Mammography and Clinical Breast Examination in Affecting Breast Cancer Trends in Nebraska

Objective: This study evaluates the impact of screening mammography and clinical breast examination (CBE) on trends in breast cancer diagnosis and mortality. Methods: The empirical work for this study is based on data obtained from various reports and websites of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. System dynamics modeling is used to assess the impact of screening mammography and CBE on breast cancer diagnosis and mortality. Results: If either screening mammography or CBE is not performed, the possibility of under-diagnosis or under-treatment of breast cancer magnifies. Either one of these tools may have the potential to avert some deaths from breast cancer. Conclusions: Efforts to expand the accessibility, affordability, and effectiveness of screening mammography and CBE should be continued.