Trends in mammography use in the Brazilian public healthcare system

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough breast cancer mortality rates are declining in many developed countries, recent trends in Brazil reveal increasing mortality rates. As mammography is an important tool in the early diagnosis and improved prognosis for breast cancer, we aimed to explore recent trends of mammography in the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS). MethodsWe extracted a range of data from the DATASUS and SISMAMA online databases for the period 2010–2013, for Brazil and all of its regions, to explore patterns and trends in mammography within SUS across Brazil. ResultsOn average, over 2010–2013, 18% and 14% of SUS-dependent Brazilian women aged 50–59 and 60–69 years respectively, were given a screening mammogram. Screening and diagnostic mammograms were recorded for females outside of this age range. The South and South-East had greater rates of screening and diagnostic mammograms respectively, than other regions. Most screening and diagnostic mammograms were categorised as BI-RADS category 1 (‘negative’) or 2 (‘benign’). There was an average annual increase in numbers of machines in use, machines available to SUS and machine usage within SUS in each region. ConclusionsScreening mammography rates were much lower than recommended in target age groups for mammography in Brazil and both types of mammograms were recorded for women younger than usually recommended. More appropriate use of mammography and better use of resources, will likely improve the outcomes of breast cancer in Brazilian women in a country with wide socio-economic differences, as well as minimise the potential risks associated with mammography in younger women.