Finnish Mobile Clinic Breast Cancer Screening Experiment

Sample

In 1966-1972 the Finnish Mobile Clinic Breast Cancer Screening Experiment was carried out in 10 municipalities. The purpose of the trial was to compare the utility of a clinical investigation, mammography, and thermography in the screening of breast cancer. Furthermore, the aim was study risk factors of breast cancer (Lahti 1977). All women aged 30 or over were invited to the survey in the following municipalities: Pelkosenniemi, Ranua, Posio, Kittilä, Sodankylä, Salla, Alatornio, Tervola, Rovaniemi and Pudasjärvi. 

FINNISH MOBILE CLINIC BREAST CANCER SCREENING EXPERIMENT map of the study sitesFinnish Mobile Clinic Breast Cancer Screening Experiment map

The ground plan of the breast cancer car shows that the car needs notable bearing capacity. It also has to be warm and be able to transport fragile special equipment without damages.The ground plan of the breast cancer car shows that the car needs notable bearing capacity. It also has to be warm and be able to transport fragile special equipment without damages. 

PIcture of the clinic carThe clinic car was suitable for different circumstances.

 

A total of 20 908 women were invited and 17 561 (84.0 %) participated. 

Participation numbers for the study by different study sitesSample by municipality
 

Table consisting of invited and participated by age and municipalityInvited and participated by age and municipality

 

Data

The data consists of a database and a biological sample bank. The database contains field survey data concerning 

  • background data and reproductive health (RI01)
  • survey findings (clinical examination (palpation), mammography and thermography) and diagnosis (RI02)
  • hospital treatment notification (RI03)
  • pathologist’s investigation notice (RI04)
  • follow-up data linked to the survey data from the beginning of the field investigation

RI01 Questionnaire
RI02 Findings (palpation, mammography, thermography) and diagnosis
RI03 Hospital treatment notification
RI04 Pathologist’s investigation notice

The format of the questionnaires, which can be found as attachments, is not accessible. If you need an accessible version, please contact autoklinikka(at)thl.fi.

 

Breast investigationBreast examination

Biological sample bank 

The biological sample bank contains the mammography- and termography pictures.

  • mammography is X-ray of the mammary gland 
  • thermography transforms the heat radiation of the skin to electric impulses. Based on them a visible picture of the source of the heat radiation is developed. The picture is photographed. 

Follow-up of registers

Follow-up information from essential nationwide health registers has been linked to the data of the participants from the beginning of the survey (Method folder 1.16, 1.16.A – 1.16.G). 
The registers cover:

  • Statistics Finland (death and cause of death) (1964−) 
  • Finnish Cancer Registry (1953−) (Method folder 1.16.E)
  • Drug Reimbursement Register, Social Insurance Institution (1964−) (Method folder 1.16.C)
  • Register on Disability Pensions (1966−1995)
  • National Hospital Discharge Register (HILMO) (1969−; checked and manually corrected information has been added until 1994) (Method folder 1.16.D)

The follow-up was started in 1969 and the follow-up information is updated every year. The permissions needed are updated at regular intervals. 

Reference

Lahti R. Kliinisen tutkimuksen, mammografian ja termografian soveltuvuus rintasyövän joukkotutkimukseen (The applicability of clinical investigation, mammography, and thermography for breast cancer screening). Kansaneläkelaitoksen julkaisuja Helsinki, AL 9, 1977.

Forms

The following forms were used: 
RI01 Questionnaire
RI02 Findings (palpation, mammography, thermography) and diagnosis
RI03 Hospital treatment notification
RI04 Pathologist’s investigation notice

Updated: