What to know
The follow-up and referral focus area includes tools and resources to ensure timely referral for diagnostic testing, treatment, and other appropriate next steps (such as genetic testing) when screening tests are abnormal.
Introduction
This page is part of the Breast Cancer Screening Change Package.
Change concepts are "general notions that are useful for developing more specific strategies for changing a process."1 Change ideas are evidence-based or practice-based "actionable, specific ideas or strategies."1 Each change idea is linked to tools and resources that can be used or adapted to improve cancer screening.
Note: See a list of acronyms used in this change package.
Select a change concept:
Change concept: Establish relationships with specialists for diagnostic testing and treatment.
- IOM — Primary Care and Public Health: Exploring Integration to Improve Population Health
- Nekhlyudov L, Latosinsky S, 2010 — The Interface of Primary and Oncology Specialty Care: From Symptoms to Diagnosis
- AHRQ — Coordinating Care in the Medical Neighborhood: Critical Components and Available Mechanisms
- Nekhlyudov L, Latosinsky S, 2010 — The Interface of Primary and Oncology Specialty Care: From Symptoms to Diagnosis
Change concept: Adopt policies and procedures for patient referral and follow-up for diagnostic testing and treatment.
- Nekhlyudov L, Latosinsky S, 2010 — The Interface of Primary and Oncology Specialty Care: From Symptoms to Diagnosis
- The Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County — Breast Healthcare Improvement in the Safety-Net: Change Package Rapid Innovation to Improve Outcomes
- ACR — Mammography Sample Lay Report Letters [A] [B]
- ONC — SAFER: Self-Assessment Test Results Reporting and Follow-Up, pages 5–7
- ACOG — Tracking and Reminder Systems
- ECRI on behalf of HRSA — Using the EHR for Care Management and Tracking
- ECRI on behalf of HRSA — Using the EHR for Care Management and Tracking
Change concept: Overcome barriers to follow-up and treatment.
- ACS — Road to Recovery [English and Spanish]
- AHA — Social Determinants of Health Series: Transportation and the Role of Hospitals
- CMS — Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
- Livestrong — Transportation and Other Cancer Support Services
- The Community Guide — Cancer Screening: Reducing Structural Barriers for Clients – Breast Cancer
Change concept: Implement follow-up processes for regular screening.
- ACR — Mammography Sample Lay Report Letters [A] [B]
Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco Cessation Change Package. US Department of Health and Human Services; 2019.
- Indicates a patient resource.
- This resource may contain some information that does not reflect the current US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for breast cancer screening.