PERMS at Ahus
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This information is for women who are eligible for participation in the PERMS study in BreastScreen Norway at Akershus University Hospital (Ahus). Read about why you have been invited and what participation involves.
Who is eligible for participation in PERMS?
You are eligible for participation in PERMS at Ahus if you attend screening at Ski Hospital or the Health Center in Lillestrøm during the study period and have high mammographic density. High mammographic density means your breasts contain a lot of glandular tissue compared to fatty tissue. Mammographic density is measured using a computer program that analyzes mammography images. A random selection of women with the highest mammographic density are offered participation in the study.
You will receive information and an invitation to the study in the following ways:
- In the invitation letter to BreastScreen Norway. Here you receive the first information about the PERMS study and about your right to opt out of being invited.
- In the invitation letter for a new examination with tomosynthesis, within six months after the original screening examination.
Why are you invited to PERMS Ahus?
You are invited to PERMS Ahus because your mammograms show you have high mammographic density. The invitation does not mean we suspect breast cancer in your mammograms. It only means we want to offer an additional examination because high mammographic density can increase the risk of breast cancer. In addition, it is more difficult to detect breast cancer in standard mammograms in women with high density.
Tomosynthesis is an imaging technique where the mammography machine moves in an arc over the breast while taking multiple slice images. These images are then combined, providing a more detailed picture of the breast tissue than a standard mammogram. Tomosynthesis can therefore make it easier to detect tumors in dense breast tissue.
For women with high mammographic density, it may be beneficial to have an additional examination with tomosynthesis. Such an extra examination may contribute to earlier detection of breast cancer, which increases the chances of effective treatment.
What does participation involve for you?
If you choose to participate in the PERMS study and attend the additional tomosynthesis examination, you will be asked to give written consent when you attend:
- The additional examination is conducted at Ahus and takes about 10 minutes
- During the examination, your breast is compressed for a few seconds longer than with regular mammography
- After the examination, you can go home
- You will receive a result after two to four weeks, in the same way as usual in BreastScreen Norway
- The examination has a co-payment of 387 NOK, and you cover the trip yourself
If further examinations and follow-up are needed, this will occur according to standard procedures.
Brief overview of PERMS
Purpose
In the study, we offer some groups of women an additional examination to find out
- how many will take advantage of such an offer
- the outcome of the extra examination
The knowledge gained will be used to further develop the screening programme for women in BreastScreen Norway.
Benefits and harms
- Undergoing a new examination with tomosynthesis after six months can increase the opportunity for early detection of possible breast cancer. In general, early detection of breast cancer can lead to more gentle treatment, better quality of life, and fewer deaths from the disease than if discovered due to symptoms.
- An extra examination can result in a "false alarm," which may cause worry and anxiety. It is also known that breast cancer can be missed with tomosynthesis.
- Breast cancer may be detected that would not have caused symptoms and would not have been found without participation in screening, known as overdiagnosis. Today, it is not possible to distinguish these tumors from those that would cause symptoms. Therefore, all women with confirmed breast cancer are offered treatment.
- Mammography and tomosynthesis are X-ray examinations of the breasts. Some experience these examinations as uncomfortable or painful when the breast is compressed for a few seconds during imaging. Tell the radiographers if you experience discomfort.
- Tomosynthesis uses ionizing radiation, and annual examinations give an increased radiation dose compared to mammography every other year. However, the dose is very low and the risk of developing breast cancer due to screening is minimal.
Privacy and your rights
Participation in the study is voluntary. Even if you do not opt out, it is voluntary to attend the extra examination.
Not participating, or if you later wish to withdraw from the study, will have no consequences for future invitations or participation in BreastScreen Norway. You will not be charged for the examination if you do not attend. You may request access to the information stored about you in the study, and request that it is corrected or deleted in accordance with the provisions of the Health Research Act and the General Data Protection Regulation.
If you choose to participate in the study, you will be asked to give written consent when you attend the additional examination. Regardless of participation in the study, you will receive a new invitation to BreastScreen Norway in two years, if you are still in the target group.
We process your personal data based on public interest (GDPR 6.1.e and 9.2.j).
The Regional Ethical Committee (REK) has approved the study (REK #585149).
Contact information
The Cancer Registry at NIPH is project leader and the coordinating institution. If you have questions regarding the study, you can contact senior adviser at the Cancer Registry, FHI, Gunvor Gipling Wåde.
If you have questions about privacy in the study, you can contact the data protection officer for the Cancer Registry, NIPH: personvernombud@fhi.no, or the data protection officer at Akershus University Hospital.
You may also complain to the Data Protection Authority if you believe there is a breach of the data protection regulations: Complaint to the Data Protection Authority | Data Protection Authority