Cancer Screening: Patient Navigation Services to Increase Breast Cancer Screening and Advance Health Equity

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends patient navigation services to increase breast cancer screenings (mammograms) among historically disadvantaged racial and ethnic populations and people with lower incomes.

Patient navigation services are expected to advance health equity when implemented among these populations, who often have lower breast cancer screening rates.

Patient navigation services may include:

• Reduced out-of-pocket costs
• Appointment reminders
• Lowered structural barriers, like help with appointment scheduling, translation services, transportation, or childcare assistance

CPSTF finds patient navigation services to increase breast cancer screening are cost-effective. Systematic review evidence shows estimates of cost per quality-adjusted life year gained are below a conservative threshold of $50,000.