Abstract
Breast cancer is the commonest female cancer in Nigeria. Despite its increased awareness, affordability of available screening tools is a bane. Mammography, the goal standard for screening is costly and not widely available in terms of infrastructure, technical/personnel capabilities. Ultrasound is accessible and affordable. This study compared the use of ultrasound and mammography as breast cancer screening tools in women in South West Nigeria by characterizing and comparing the prevalent breast parenchyma, breast cancer features and the independent sensitivity of ultrasound and mammography. This cross sectional comparative descriptive study used both ultrasound and mammography as screening tools in 300 consenting women aged 30 to 60 years who attended a free breast cancer screening campaign in a tertiary hospital in Lagos. Categorical variables were presented in tables and Chi squares for associations P-value set at ± 0.1. Mean age was 41.01 + 6.5years with majority in the 30 - 39 year age group 139 (55%). Fatty (BIRADS A and B) parenchyma predominated {ultrasound 237 (79%); mammography 233 (77.7%)} in all age groups. 7 (2.3%) were confirmed malignant by histology with (6) in the 30-39 age group and (1) in the 40-49 age group. Ultrasound detected all the confirmed cases 7(100%), whereas mammography detected 6 (85%). Sensitivity was higher using ultrasound (100%) than mammography (85.7%). Ultrasound can be utilized as a first line of screening especially in remote/rural areas in developing world. Part funding from Run for Cure governmental organization.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the leading female malignancy globally, and the most common female cancer in Nigeria.[1]
Late presentation of patients at advanced stages when little or no benefit can be derived from any form of therapy has been the hallmark of breast cancer in Nigerian women, with survival rates less than 10%.2 with late presentation of the disease, inadequate diagnostic and treatment facilities in the developing countries.[3]
This study compared the use of ultrasound and mammography as breast cancer screening tools in women who attended free breast cancer screening exercise in a centre in Lagos, by characterizing and comparing the prevalent breast parenchyma, features of breast cancer and the independent sensitivity of ultrasound and mammography
Summary
Breast cancer is the leading female malignancy globally, and the most common female cancer in Nigeria.[1]. A number of screening tests are being employed; these include breast examinations, mammography, molecular imaging and genetic screening; ultrasound and magnetic www.ghanamedj.org Volume 51 Number 1 March 2017. Resonance imaging, the three main screening tests are breast examinations, mammography and ultrasound.[4] The awareness of breast cancer and the importance of screening have increased over the years[5] the bane of unaffordability still persists. Poor participation in screening programs has persisted despite the increase in awareness.[6]
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