Myth mammography buster: risks of social media misinformation

Congress:

EuroSafe Imaging 2019

Poster Number:

ESI-0034

Type:

EuroSafe Imaging

Keywords:

Action 12 - Information for and communication with patients, Action 8 - Radiation protection training and learning material, Breast, Mammography, Education, Education and training

Authors:

K. A. K. Pesce, M. Ulla, R. D. García-Mónaco, S. A. A. Blanco, M. Swiecicki, C. Hadad, J. M. Saidman

DOI:

10.26044/esi2019/ESI-0034

DOI-Link:

https://dx.doi.org/10.26044/esi2019/ESI-0034

Fig. 1: Breast Radiology team and our website.

Fig. 2: Several events and community activities were arranged, such as breast cancer...

Fig. 3: Educational material was distributed throughout the community, including...

Fig. 4: Through a playful proposal, medical information was given to women using clear...

Background/introduction

Mammography has become the most cost-effective tool available for the early detection of breast cancer, for the monitoring of benign lesions or post-operative changes. Although mammography is a widespread diagnostic method, it has not been exempt from criticism by detractors who question its efficiency, as well as the exposure to ionizing radiation implied in each test performed. Regarding efficiency, we can say that we have not yet found a method that surpasses mammography in reducing breast cancer mortality. Regarding radiation exposure and its’ association with...

Description of activity and work performed

1.- A strategic decision of creating a Committee on Quality and Safety (Q&S) in Radiation was taken institutionally. A specialized multidisciplinary team of auditors composed by medical experts in the use of ionizing radiation (radiation physics, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, interventional radiologists, etc.) as well as experts in other safety and quality aspects of health care (clinical engineering, XX, etc.) were nominated to perform the audit programme established by the Q&S Committee. 2.- The Committee decided to fulfill the requisites needed to achieve EuroSafe accreditation...

Conclusion and recommendations

The continuous actions carried out to inform patients on radiation issues and the development of an educational programme in radiation protection can mitigate the general population’s doubts and fears created by misinformation displayed in social media. It will also strengthen communication between patients and the medical community. Efforts should be made to accurately inform women on mammography’s risks and benefits, specifically highlighting the low dose of mammographic ionizing radiation and providing objective facts to ensure that they are making an informed decision regarding screening. The...

Personal/organisational information

Karina Pesce MD PhD: Chief breast radiology, Hospital Italiano of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Marina Ulla MD:Chief quality officer of the Imaging department of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, coordinating activities of the audit team in the radiology department. Argentina. Ricardo García-Mónaco MD PhD: Head of the Imaging Department, Hospital Italiano of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Susana Blanco MD:Medical physicist.Hospital Italiano of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Maria Swiecicki MD: Fellow Breast Radiology.Hospital Italiano of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Carolina Hadad MD: Staff Medical Breast Radiology.Hospital Italiano of Buenos Aires,...

References

Screening Mammography: Recommendations and Controversies. Witten M, Parker CC. Surg Clin North Am. 2018 Aug;98(4):667-675. Sechopoulos I, Hendrick RE. Mammography and the risk of thyroid cancer. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2012;198(3):705–708. Effect of thyroid shielding during mammography: measurements on phantom and patient as well as estimation with Monte Carlo simulation. Pyka M, Eschle P, Sommer C, Weyland MS, Kubik R, Scheidegger S.Eur Radiol Exp. 2018 Jun 28;2:14. doi: 10.1186/s41747-018-0042-9.