Diagnostic testing options for women known to be at an increased risk of breast cancer is to be the subject of a health technology assessment by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

The health technology assessment will consider approaches to the management of women under the age of 50 who are known to have an increased risk of breast cancer, because of a family history or specific genetic disposition.

Following a request from the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), the HTA will assess women known to be at this increased risk and will categorise them as either ‘moderate’ or ‘high’ risk according to criteria used by the NCCP.

Martin Flattery, Head of HTA Research and Planning at HIQA, said: “This increased risk means that some women could develop breast cancer at an earlier age than the general population. Therefore these women may need to be monitored earlier.”

The technologies to be evaluated in this HTA include digital mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The HTA will also evaluate the age at which surveillance should commence in each of the risk groups, as well as the frequency of this surveillance.

HIQA has convened a multidisciplinary Expert Advisory Group to oversee the process of the HTA and to provide access to expert advice and information as required.

Terms of reference of the evaluation:

1. Describe the epidemiology of breast cancer for those under the age of 50 at high and moderate risk of hereditary breast cancer (due to genetic predisposition or strong family history).

2. Review the evidence of the effectiveness and safety of mammography, MRI surveillance and a combination of the two in the specified population(s) including both different surveillance frequencies and age groups.

3. Examine the cost-effectiveness of these surveillance options compared to the current practice of no organised surveillance programme and relative to each other.

4. Estimate the budget impact of the introduction of a surveillance programme for the selected population(s).

5. Identify the key additional resources necessary in order to implement a surveillance programme as effectively and efficiently as possible.

6. Consider any additional evidence that a surveillance programme is likely to have including wider ethical or societal implications for the healthcare system or for affected families.

The completed HTA will be submitted to the National Cancer Control Programme and the Minister for Health by the end of 2012.

ENDS.

Further Information: 

Sinead Whooley, Communications Manager, Health Information and Quality Authority
Tel: 01 814 7488/ 087 922 1941 Email: swhooley@hiqa.ie

Notes to the Editor: 

The membership of the Expert Advisory Group is as follows:

• Dr Deirdre Mullholland (Chair) Health Information and Quality Authority
• Mr Martin Flattery (Project Lead) Health Information and Quality Authority
• Dr Barbara Dunne St James’s Hospital. Nominated by the Faculty of Pathology, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
• Dr Patricia Harrington Health Information and Quality Authority
• Dr Niamh Hambly Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. Nominated by the Faculty of Radiologists, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Ms Mairead Lyons Irish Cancer Society. Nominated by the Irish Cancer Society
• Mr Ray McLoughlin University College Hospital Galway. Nominated by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Dr Sorcha McNally Breast Check Merrion Unit. Nominated by the Faculty of Radiologists, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Dr Deirdre Murray National Cancer Control Programme. Nominated by the National Cancer Control Programme
• Ms Laura O’Donohoe Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick. Nominated by the Irish Association of Nurses in Oncology
• Mr Colm Power Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. Nominated by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Dr Linda Sharp National Cancer Registry Ireland. Nominated by the National Cancer Registry Ireland
• Dr Alan Smith National Cancer Screening Service. Nominated by the National Cancer Screening Service
• Dr Conor Teljeur Health Information and Quality Authority
• Dr Valerie Walshe Health Service Executive. Nominated by the Health Service Executive
• Ms Dympna Watson Europa Donna Ireland. Nominated by Europa Donna