Assessment of breast cancer early detection program in Iraq-Sulaimania: Measuring the cancer detection rate

Low- and middle-income countries require to specify early detection programs and intervention models for breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the performance efficacy of an Iraqi early detection model in terms of cancer detection rate (CDR) and the method of participation in this program.

Data from June 2007 to August 2016 was collected from the Breast Disease Treatment Center in the Sulaimani province in Iraq. A total of 40,491 women had registered at the center during that period for breast cancer screening, and cancer was detected in 793 women.

The CDR of the Iraqi program was 8.2 per 1000 screened women, and that of the mammograms was 42.02 per 1000 mammograms. Women mostly participated in the program by the self-referral method (77.54%).

The performance of the Iraqi early detection model was effective with a high CDR, and most women participated by self-referral. This program could, therefore, be effective in low- and middle-income countries.