About the Initiative
Members of the MCC Breast Cancer Advisory Committee formed a workgroup to discuss the results of the Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST), conducted from 2001 to 2005 by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network.  Dr. Murray Rebner, one of the researchers who participated in the study, was consulted to discuss the key findings from the study and implications that may impact mammography screening for Michigan women.

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Impetus for the Collaboration
The collaboration was formed to discuss the study findings described in the DMIST study and to develop guidance regarding mammography screening in the form of position papers from the MCC for both providers and consumers in the state of Michigan.

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Results
Two position papers were published in April 2006:

• For Providers: Digital Mammography: Comparison with Screen-Film Mammography

• For Consumers: Frequently Asked Questions about Digital Mammography

These papers were posted on the MCC Web site and distributed to providers and mammography facilities throughout Michigan. 
 
The provider paper was downloaded 313 times from the MCC Web site; the consumer paper was downloaded 201 times. The position papers were even referenced in a May 30, 2006 Wall Street Journal article and also appeared in several newspaper articles in neighboring states.

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Lessons Learned
Health providers from different institutions met together and jointly reviewed the evidence from published clinical trials.  Study findings and the potential impact on future care for Michigan women were rationally discussed without issues of institutional competitiveness jading the discussion.

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Collaborating Partners

• Gerald Aben, MD – Michigan State University
• Ray Demers, MD, MPH – Great Lakes Cancer Institute at Michigan State University
• Sharolyn Gonzalez, BSN, OCN, RN – Sparrow Regional Cancer Center
• Nancy Gregory, MD – William Beaumont Hospital
• Mark Helvie, MD – University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Bruce Matkovich – Michigan Department of Community Health
• Stephanie Patterson, MD – University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Murray Rebner, MD – Michigan Radiological Society and William Beaumont Hospital
• Frank Vicini, MD – William Beaumont Hospital
• Max Wicha, MD – University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Ann Garvin, MS, CNM – Michigan Department of Community Health
• Paulette Valliere, PhD – Michigan Department of Community Health
• E.J. Siegl, MA, OCN, RN – Michigan Department of Community Health

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MCC Recognition
The Digital Mammography Position Papers for Providers and Consumers received the Michigan Cancer Consortium’s 2006 Spirit of Collaboration Award.  The annual award is presented to member organizations that have done outstanding collaborative work to significantly move comprehensive cancer control activities forward in Michigan.

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Learn More
For more information about this project, please contact E.J. Siegl, MA, OCN, RN, Michigan Department of Community Health, at sieglej@michigan.gov.

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last updated: 07/22/07