Outcomes of the Saudi breast cancer early detection program: a nine-year analysis (2012-2020)

This study aims to report the preliminary outcome of the Saudi breast cancer early detection program (SBCEDP).

Mammography screens were done for Saudi women (age 40-69 years old) who participated in the SBCEDP from April 2012 to December 2020. Independent double-blind reading of the mammograms was performed by two radiologists. Analysis of age at diagnosis, cancer characteristics, and available screening indicators will be reported within this timeframe.

Among 72,774 screened women, 504 had breast cancer cases, yielding a cancer detection rate of 6.93 per 1000 screened women. DCIS detection rate was 0.87 per1000 screened women (n = 63). Mean age at diagnosis was 53.61 years (SD = 8.85) and the majority women had fatty breast tissue (A and B, 65%). Luminal A subtype was predominant (N = 58.6%), whereas triple-negative breast cancers constituted about 12.6% of cases. Estrogen and progesterone positivity was common (more than 65% of cases). Early and localized breast cancer was reported among 28% and 45.8% of women, respectively. Lesions mean size was 23.88 mm and mastectomy rate was 54.2%.

Although not all screening indicators were available, the SBCEDP demonstrates encouraging results, with notable rates of early-stage diagnosis. Continuous evaluation and improvement of screening strategies are essential for further enhancing the program effectiveness in reducing breast cancer mortality and morbidity among Saudi women.