AN EVALUATION ON USING ULTRASOUND AS THE PRIMARY SCREENING TEST FOR BREAST CANCER

Abstract

Introduction: Breast Cancer is a prevalent carcinoma with about 2.1 million new patients as recorded in 2018. Although mammography is the gold standard in detection of breast cancer but it is unavailable in many places due to several disadvantages. Instead, breast ultrasound has proved its worth in detecting palpable abnormalities of breast. The technique of ultrasound gains an upper hand due to its capability of detecting small nodules and the technique being affordable in regions with limited health screening devices.

Aims and Objectives: This study is intended to find out the efficacy of screening breast cancer by ultrasound and mammography and to find out the significance of ultrasound to be used as the primary screening method in breast cancer.

Materials and Methods: The study is of prospective design, conducted during the period of one year . The study has considered 70 patients. All the patients underwent both Mammography and Ultrasound, for 4 times. BI-RADS (Breast Imaging–Reporting and Data System) assessment scale was used for proper evaluation of the breast imaging.

Result: The significance test shows that there is no significant difference between screening ability of mammography and ultrasound which can strictly suggest not to replace mammography with ultrasound as the primary screening method (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The study has concluded  that the ultrasound can also be used as supplemental screening method where mammography is already available and ultrasound can be used as the primary screening method where mammography is not availble or affordability is one of the issue.

Keywords: mammography, ultrasound, breast cancer, screening