Taylor L., Basro S., Apffelstaedt J.P., Baatjes K.
Medial Faculty, Breast Clinic, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, PO Box 19063, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
Taylor, L., Medial Faculty, Breast Clinic, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, PO Box 19063, Cape Town 7505, South Africa; Basro, S., Medial Faculty, Breast Clinic, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, PO Box 19063, Cape Town 7505, South Africa; Apffelstaedt, J.P., Medial Faculty, Breast Clinic, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, PO Box 19063, Cape Town 7505, South Africa; Baatjes, K., Medial Faculty, Breast Clinic, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, PO Box 19063, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
Mammography in younger women is considered to be of limited value. In a resource restricted environment without access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and with a high incidence of breast cancer in the young, mammography remains an important diagnostic tool. Recent technical advances and better regulation of mammography make a reassessment of its value in these conditions necessary. Data of all the mammograms performed at a tertiary hospital and private breast clinic between January 2003 and July 2009 in women less than 40 years of age were collected. Indications were the presence of a mass, follow-up after primary cancer therapy, and screening for patients perceived at high risk due to a family history or the presence of atypical hyperplasia. Data acquired were as follows: Demographics, prior breast surgery, indication for mammography, outcome of mammography, diagnostic procedures, and their results. Of 2,167 mammograms, 393 were performed for a palpable mass, diagnostic mammography. In these, the overall cancer detection rate was 40%. If the mammography was reported as breast imaging reporting and data system (BIRADS®) 5 versus BIRADS® 3 and 4 versus BIRADS® 1 and 2, a final diagnosis of malignancy was established in 96, 48, and 5%, respectively. Of 367 mammograms done for the follow-up after primary treatment of breast cancer, seven cancers were diagnosed for a detection rate of 1.9%. Of 1,312 mammograms performed for screening, the recall rate was 4%; the biopsy rate 2%, and the cancer diagnosis rate 3/1,000 examinations. In contrast to past series, this series has shown that recent advances in mammography have made it a useful tool in the management of breast problems in young women, notably in a resource-restricted environment. Women for screening should be selected carefully. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
adult; article; breast biopsy; breast cancer; breast hyperplasia; breast surgery; breast tumor; cancer diagnosis; cancer screening; cancer therapy; controlled study; family history; female; follow up; human; imaging system; major clinical study; mammography; predictive value; priority journal; Adult; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Mammography; Mass Screening; Neoplasm Staging; Young Adult