Mammographic screening for non-palpable breast cancer in Japan

In Japan, mammography was endorsed for breast cancer screening in women aged 40 and over by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2004. The spread of mammographic screening has caused an increase in the incidence of non-palpable breast cancer. Precision reading for mammography is necessary to detect non-palpable breast cancer. When mass and focal asymmetric density is noted, it is important to analyze the density, density gradient, internal structure, margin and associated findings. Calcifications are classified by morphology and distribution mainly. It is necessary to distinguish secretor-type calcifications from necrotic-type calcifications. The Iwate Cancer Association performed a population-based screening program for breast cancer using mammography combined with clinical breast examination of 42,065 women in Iwate Prefecture from 1999 to 2003. A total of 2,329(5.7%)women were recalled and the 112 cases(0.27%) of cancer were detected in 114 breasts. Of 114 breast cancers, 40 (35%) were non-palpable and 74(65%) were palpable. The early breast cancer (stage 0 and I) rate of the non-palpable group was significantly higher than that of the palpable group (90% and 47%, p = 0.0003). The node-negative rate of the non-palpable group was significantly higher than that of the palpable group (92% and 68%, p = 0.011). It is expected that mammographic screening will be expanded and that the mortality rate from breast cancer in Japan will decrease, as in Europe and the United States.