Clinical examination as a screening method for breast cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Breast cancer remains a significant health concern globally.
• Early detection is crucial for improving patient outcomes and survival rates.
• Screening programs play a vital role in identifying breast cancer at earlier, more treatable stages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of a breast cancer screening clinic.
• To determine the pick-up rate of breast cancers through clinical examination alone.
• To assess the age distribution of detected breast cancer cases.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of a five-year experience from a breast cancer screening clinic.
• Screening conducted via clinical examination for women aged 25-70 years.
• Data collected on screened population percentage, cancer detection rates, and patient demographics.

Main Results:

• 28% of the target female population (aged 25-70) was screened over five years.
• A cancer pick-up rate of 7.8 per 1,000 'well' women examined was observed.
• Notably, 21% of all diagnosed breast cancer patients were under 40 years old.

Conclusions:

• Clinical breast examination is an effective and economical method for breast cancer screening.
• The findings support the establishment of similar screening clinics for women of all age groups.
• Early detection through accessible screening can significantly impact breast cancer management.