title: The detection of early breast cancer: three-year results from a diagnostic breast clinic.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Wesley Breast Clinic, Wesley Hospital, Toowong, QLD.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hirst
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Furnival
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Fielding
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001315:Australia; D001706:Biopsy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010808:Physical Examination; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography