Breast lump detection: who is more accurate, patients or their GPs?

A breast lump is the most commonly presenting complaint given by GPs when making a referral to the local breast unit. This does not necessarily mean that this was the breast symptom for which the woman consulted her GP. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of women and their GPs in detecting true breast lumps.

Between October 2008 and March 2009, the patients' symptoms, the signs elicited by the GP and the examination findings of the specialist breast clinician (BC) were recorded and compared for every consecutive new referral to the symptomatic breast clinic. A true lump was considered to present if it was detectable by the BC.

Of the 282 referrals, 228 (81%) were for a lump. Women were 95% sensitive and 59% specific in detecting a true lump. GPs were 98% sensitive and 34% specific. Forty-six patients were referred by their GP with a lump but denied that one was present in themselves. Cancer was diagnosed in four of these women, three of whom suffered from dementia.

Patients' and GPs' breast assessments are highly sensitive in detecting breast lumps. The specificity of GPs' assessments is low. The results reflect the high level of awareness that breast cancer usually presents as a lump and the priority given to not missing cancer. In the subgroup of cognitively unimpaired women referred with a lump, but who themselves deny that one is present, the patient will be correct and the GP incorrect in their assessment in 96% and 95% of patients respectively.

If a woman consults her GP with breast symptoms, but has not found a lump, it is safe for her GP not to find one either. Such patients can be reassured and reviewed after a month with a view to referral, if symptoms persist.