Analysis of diagnostic methods of a population-based breast cancer early detection screening programme

Introduction and objective: Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumour in women in Poland. In 2006, the Population-based Breast Cancer Early Detection Screening Programme was introduced in Poland to decrease the mortality of women due to this cancer. This study aimed to analyse the diagnostic methods used in the Population-based Breast Cancer Early Detection Screening Programme in the experience of one facility in Poland. Material and methods: The material for the study consisted of 1,411 questionnaires from women aged 50 to 69 qualified for enhanced diagnostics by a mammography performed in the first stage of the programme. During the study, a retrospective analysis of the documentation was performed. Results: The analysis of the convergence of BI-RADS scores between MMG and USG showed that the highest convergence was confirmed for a BI-RADS score of 4 and the lowest for a BI-RADS score of 5. Comparing the sensitivity and specificity of MMG and USG after the acquisition of BI-RADS. BAC were more frequently chosen for enhanced diagnostics of breast cancer. However, cancer was significantly more often confirmed by BAG. Tumours were biopsied more frequently for BI-RADS scores of 4 and 5 in both MMG and USG. Core-needle biopsy was more frequently used to diagnose a BI-RADS score of 5 tumours in both MMG and USG. In contrast, fine-needle biopsy was more frequently used to diagnose BI-RADS scores of 3, 0 and 4 in mammography. Conclusions: Our results showed the highest sensitivity of breast cancer screening methods for BI-RADS MMG (4+5) and ultrasound (3+4+5). The highest convergence of results between MMG and USG is shown for BI-RADS score of 4. Breast tumours are more often diagnosed by BAC but cancer is more often confirmed by BAG.