Outcome of breast cancer screening: a Lebanese single institution experience

Since 2002, from October till December of each year, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health conducts a mammogram based breast cancer screening campaign in the whole country for women over 40 years of age. These mammograms are performed free of charge in governmental hospitals or for reduced fees in private hospitals. The aim of this study is to analyze the direct impact of this campaign on cancer detection and subsequent treatment.

Radiologic records of women screened with a mammogram during the campaign period from October till December 2012 at Saint Joseph Hospital, Baouchrieh, Beirut, were reviewed. RESULTS of mammograms were reported using the ACR score. Women with ACR score ≥4 were tracked and investigated.

900 screening mammograms were performed; median age was 55.2 years (range:31-81 years). Some 826 (91.8%) had an ACR score of ≤2; 66 (7.3%) an ACR =3 and only 8 (0.89%) an ACR=4. Thus, less than 1% (8/900) of all screened women were considered at high risk and needed a close follow-up. Among these 8 women, 4 underwent surgery for an early breast cancer, one had synchronous metastatic breast cancer and two were lost to follow-up.

To coclude, Among 900-screened women for BC, less than 1 % (8 out of 900) were at high risk of hiding a BC (ACR=4), half of them benefited from early therapy (4 women out of 900) and one was a false positive. Larger studies on national level should be accomplished to have a complete data on breast cancer screening in Lebanon. The results of these studies can affect the Lebanese health policy regarding BC.