The detection of early breast cancer: three-year results from a diagnostic breast clinic

The initial results from a diagnostic breast clinic in which clinical examination, x-ray mammography and ultrasound are used to establish a diagnosis during a single patient-visit are described. In 3461 patient-visits, 82 histologically-proven breast cancers were detected. Fifty-two per cent of these cancers were 2 cm or less in diameter and 61% had no axillary lymph-node metastases. Fifteen cancers were impalpable lesions which were detected by mammography alone. The over-all malignant-to-benign biopsy ratio was 1:2.7; for impalpable tumours, this ratio was 1:3.9. The role of such a diagnostic breast clinic is discussed, and attention is drawn to a relatively low attendance of women in the "high-risk" age group of over 50 years of age.