Performance audit praises state's oversight of mammography facilities.

2004 JAN 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Pennsylvania women can be assured that the Commonwealth is inspecting its mammography facilities regularly to verify that they comply with stringent federal quality standards and safety requirements, according to a special performance audit released by auditor general Robert P. Casey, Jr.

This is encouraging news in the battle against breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women.

"Accurate mammography images are critical for early breast cancer detection," Casey said at a news conference at Lankenau Hospital outside Philadelphia. "I am pleased to report that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is doing an excellent job inspecting mammography facilities and identifying and reporting deficiencies in an effort to ensure that Pennsylvania women receive safe, quality mammograms."

Casey's first-ever performance audit of mammography oversight examined DEP's performance from January 1, 2001, through June 30, 2003. During that time, DEP inspected nearly all of the state's 406 certified mammography facilities on time and as often as required. As part of these inspections, DEP tested mammography equipment, reviewed related records, and ensured that facility physicians, technicians, and physicists possessed the required qualifications.

Casey audited DEP because it is the state agency that inspects Pennsylvania's mammography facilities under a contract with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). DEP's inspections determine compliance with the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act, ...