This article discusses the evidence that led to expanding the breast cancer screening recommendation to include additional imaging (eg, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, mammography) and pathology evaluation, if needed.

WPSI’s recommendation on patient navigation services for breast and cervical cancer screening involves person-to-person contact with the patient as well as services such as person-centered assessment and planning, health care access and health system navigation, referrals to appropriate support services (eg, language translation, transportation, and social services), and patient education.

This article highlights how patient navigation support can improve screening efficacy and coverage of services across the breast cancer screening pathway. The WPSI recommends that patient navigation services be provided to patients needing support through the breast cancer screening process.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 randomized clinical trials with 39, 111 participants, rates of screening and follow-up in women who were offered patient navigation services were compared to rates in women who received usual health care. With women who received patient navigation services, rates were 13.8% higher for breast cancer screening and 15.6% higher for cervical cancer screening, and higher for follow-up of abnormal screening results.

This evidence review informed the WPSI’s recommendation on Patient Navigation Services for Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening.