Indications and the Outcome of the Mammography at Douala General Hospital (Cameroon)

Abstract

Background: Recent reports indicate that the use of mammography in breast screening plays a major role in reducing breast cancer-related deaths. It helps to improve quality of care and patient information. However, in Cameroon, there are no organized general breast screening programs which give women the opportunity to regularly screen their breasts, except for the few who take their own initiative for breast screening. Purpose: This study aimed to list indications and results of mammography and/or breast ultrasounds at Douala General Hospital in order to determine the proportion of routine mammographic screening. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Douala General Hospital using pre-established data sheets. The study recruited all patients who met the selection criteria and reported to the radiology and medical imaging department for breast screening using physical examinations, mammography and/or ultrasounds. Results: The study recruited 372 patients, 96.8% of whom were between 40 to 50 years old. The reasons given for the medical consultation were systematic screening (33.01%); pain (27.18%) and lumps (25.24%). Breast examination by inspection was normal in 87.1% of women, and by palpation in 66.7%. Mammography revealed nodular opacities (18.3%), spiculated images (4.3%) and micro calcifications (3.2%), while ultrasound identified fibroadenomas (16.48%) and cysts (6.18%). Suspicious lesions (ACR 4 and 5) were discovered in 7.6% of cases by mammography and 8.51% of cases by ultrasound. The results indicated that there was no significant association between the use of clinical examination and mammography (p = 0.754). The use of clinical examination alone for breast screening may not be sufficient. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that in Cemaroon, the routine screening mammography accounts for less than one-third (33.1%) of all indications. Benign lesions were most common, however 7.6% and 8.51% of suspicious malignant lesions were observed using mammography and ultrasound respectively.