Exploring the potential for improving public health cancer screening through the example of breast screening
Ághné Dr.Tittmann Judit
Gyógyszertudományok és Egészségügyi Technológiák Tagozat
Dr. Zelkó Romána
SE Semmelweis Szalon
2026-02-02 11:00:00
Az egészségügyi technológiaértékelés
Dr. Kaló Zoltán
Dr. Vokó Zoltán
Dr. Paulik Edit
Dr. Terebessy András
Dr. Zelkó Romána
Dr. Nagy Attila
Dr. Márkus Bernadett
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, with projections indicating a continued rise in incidence over the coming decades. In Hungary, both the incidence and mortality rates of BC are higher than the EU average.
Early detection is key to improving outcomes, highlighting the importance of organized, evidence-based screening programs. In Hungary, such a program has existed since 2002, targeting women aged 45–65 years with biennial mammography. To ensure that this program remains effective and responsive to changing epidemiological patterns and technological advances, it is essential to systematically evaluate and revise its components based not only on current scientific evidence and population-specific needs, but also with careful consideration of national and local contextual factors.
The dissertation applied a multi-method approach that included literature reviews, a methodological study, and a retrospective analysis of real-world BC data from Hungary to explore opportunities for optimization the Hungarian BC screening program.
The literature review indicated that while the core elements of the national screening protocol are aligned with international recommendations, the supporting organizational and coordinating structure of the system would benefit from further development to enhance the overall effectiveness of the program. Findings support the integration of ABUS into mammography-based screening for women with dense breasts, suggesting its feasibility and potential added value in enhancing early cancer detection. The retrospective study further highlighted the need for age- and subtype-specific screening strategies, as a significant proportion of advanced-stage and aggressive tumours occur in women outside the current target screening age range.
These findings may inform future revisions to Hungary’s BC screening policy. The integration of these aspects into policy and practice has the potential to enhance screening outcomes, reduce disparities, and contribute to more equitable and effective BC control.
