Consultations for breast disease in general practice and hospital referral patterns.
As part of the evaluation of a health education campaign about breast disease, consultations for breast problems were monitored in five general practices over an 18-month period in Edinburgh. No increase was found as a result of the campaign, nor was there any increase in the number of biopsies performed. On average, each GP saw 13 women with breast problems each year, a rate of 1.6 per cent; 29 per cent were referred to hospital, regardless of their age. The most common presenting symptom was pain (47 per cent), with 35 per cent complaining of a lump. The reasons for hospital referral are discussed. It is suggested that GPs may refer too many young women to a specialist clinic, although this may be inevitable.
Breast Screening Clinic, Edinburgh, UK.
M M
MM
Roberts
R A
RA
Elton
S E
SE
Robinson
K
K
French
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012606:Scotland