Results of fine-wire localization breast biopsies at the Cancer Control Agency of British Columbia

Over the past 7 years at the Cancer Control Agency of British Columbia, fine-wire localization breast biopsies were performed with increasing frequency for mammographic findings suggestive of malignant disease. Because the rate of biopsy specimens negative for malignant disease was high, a policy was instituted to review all mammograms before carrying out a biopsy. As a result, the rate of positive biopsy findings increased from a mean of 29% to 33% and a further 16% of biopsy specimens were positive for premalignant disease. Of patients in whom a diagnosis of malignant disease was made, 60% had in-situ disease compared with 8.5% in the province overall. As a result of the earlier diagnosis, less radical surgery was possible. These findings support the value of mammography with fine-wire localization biopsy as a valid method for making an earlier diagnosis of breast cancer.