Women's health

Interval cancer in women following a normal initial mammogram in the Québec Breast Cancer Screening Program in 1998-2000

Interval cancers are cancers that are diagnosed during the interval between a negative screen and the subsequent screen. The rate of interval cancers is a performance indicator in the terms of reference of the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program (PQDCS). The PQDCS terms of reference do not set a standard for interval cancer rates, but the Evaluation Indicators Working Group, which monitors breast cancer screening programs in Canada, has determined that the rate of interval cancers should not exceed 6 cases of invasive cancer per 10,000 person-years within 12 months of a negative screen, or 12 cases per 10,000 person-years within 24 months of a negative screen.

The primary objective of this analysis was to estimate the rate of interval cancers among women who received an initial mammography in the PQDCS in 1998-2000 and whose mammogram was interpreted as normal (including non-equivocal benign lesions). The analysis also sought to identify the characteristics of women,…

Équipe d'évaluation du PQDCS

Status Report on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Québec

The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is likely to cause what is considered the most frequent preventable birth defect. This defect is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is a complex problem closely related to alcoholism and substance abuse among women. Described for the first time some 35 years ago, this syndrome has since been the subject of many studies conducted for the purpose of providing insight into its specific nature, documenting its prevalence or identifying ways to prevent it and help those who are afflicted with it. This research was conducted primarily in North America, but also in some European countries. Canada’s contribution to developing knowledge in this area should be pointed out.

In December of 2003, the Institut national de santé publique du Québec was mandated by the Minister of Health and Social Services to produce a status report on FAS. In response to this request, this report describes the current state of knowledge in Québec, and its situat…