Frequency of breast biopsy and breast cancer diagnosis in central Connecticut--trends from 1993 to 1997.
The frequency of diagnosed breast cancer at Hartford Hospital has risen 75% from 1993 to 1997 (153 vs 87 cases during January-March 1997 as compared to January-March 1993). During the same intervals the frequency of breast biopsies performed also increased 45% (455 vs 312 biopsies). The rate of "positive" biopsies has increased slightly (27.9%, 28.3%, 31.5%, 30.7%, and 33.6% for the first three months of each year 1993 to 1997, respectively). When stratified into thirds based on decreasing practice activity of Hartford Hospital surgeons with regard to breast surgery, the "positive" biopsy rates were 28.7%, 31.2%, and 33.0% respectively. Local breast cancer incidence is rising, however surgeons are not "overusing" breast biopsy as compared to recent past practice despite the fact that many more breast biopsies are now being performed.
Ricci
A
A
Hartford Hospital, USA.
Banever
T
T
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012189:Retrospective Studies