Breast cancer detection: experience in a suburban community

Six hundred sixty-nine breast biopsies performed at the Methodist Hospital of Southern California and the Arcadia Outpatient Surgery Center during 1987 and 1988 were reviewed. Three hundred twenty-eight biopsies were performed for clinical indications (lump, thickening, or nipple discharge). Three hundred forty-one biopsies (51%) were performed because of mammographic abnormalities and required preoperative x-ray localization. Of the 341 localized biopsy specimens, 261 were varieties of fibrocystic mastopathy, fibroadenoma, papilloma, or hyperplasia. An additional 31 cases showed atypical ductal or lobular hyperplasia. One hundred fifty-one breast cancers were detected in this series of 669 breast biopsies. One hundred two (68%) of these were detected as a result of a clinical finding, and 49 were detected as a result of mammographic abnormalities (a 32% incidence of occult breast cancers). Among the 341 x-ray localization biopsies performed, breast cancer was detected in 14%.