Results of a pilot programme of mammographic breast cancer screening in the Western Cape
Date
2014-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
Background. Mammographic screening programmes are now established in developing countries. We present an analysis of the first screening programme in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods. Women aged ≥40 years were identified at three primary healthcare centres in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, and after giving informed consent underwent mammography at a mobile unit. After a single reading, patients with American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) 3 - 5 lesions were referred to a tertiary centre for further management.
Results. Between 1 February 2011 and 31 August 2012, 2 712 screening mammograms were performed. A total of 261 screening mammograms were reported as BIRADS 3 - 5 (recall rate 9.6%). Upon review of the 250 available screening mammograms, 58 (23%) were rated benign or no abnormalities (BIRADS 1 and 2) and no further action was taken. In 32 women, tissue was acquired (biopsy rate for the series 1.2%); 10 cancers were diagnosed (biopsy malignancy rate 31%). For the entire series of 2 712 screening mammograms, the cancer diagnosis rate was 3.7/1 000 examinations. Of 10 cancers diagnosed at screening, 5 were TNM clinical stage 0, 2 stage I and 3 stage II.
Conclusions. The low cancer detection rate achieved, and the technical and multiple administrative problems experienced do not justify installation of a screening programme using the model utilised in this series.
Description
CITATION: Apffelstaedt, J. P., Hattingh, R., Baatjes, K. & Wessels, N. 2014. Results of a pilot programme of mammographic breast cancer screening in the Western Cape. South African Medical Journal, 104(4):297-298, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.7242.
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Breast - Radiography
Citation
Apffelstaedt, J. P., Hattingh, R., Baatjes, K. & Wessels, N. 2014. Results of a pilot programme of mammographic breast cancer screening in the Western Cape. South African Medical Journal, 104(4):297-298, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.7242.