Determination of sensitivity and specificity of breast tumor diagnosis by primary health care providers (Behvarz) using clinical examination by obstetrician as a gold standard.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to find a practical screening strategy to detect breast tumors in those who cannot refer to specialists due to problems, such as geographic location, and economical obstacles.


METHODS
Considering the mentioned aim this study was designed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of breast tumors made by health care providers (Behvarz) with those made by specialists. For this, the results of examinations of Behvarzes and an obstetrician on 2000 women referring to the 17 health care centers of Kerman and Zarand cities were compared.


RESULTS
Among the 2000 women examined by Behvarzes 170 cases were reported to have pathological signs (palpable mass) and 1830 cases were reported without any pathological sign. Among 169 cases diagnosed by physicians as having pathological signs, 162 cases had also been diagnosed by Behvarzes, and there were only seven cases diagnosed by physicians that had been missed by Behvarzes. There were eight cases diagnosed by Behvarzes as having pathological signs that were reported healthy by physicians.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these findings, the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of breast tumors made by Behvarzes was 95.8% and 99.56%, respectively, compared with those made by specialists. Considering the obtained results, the screening program for breast tumors by Behvarzes can be very helpful in early diagnosis of breast tumors.
Naderi
Tayebeh
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Kerman, Iran. tayebeh_naderi@yahoo.com
Bahrampoor
Abbas
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000592:standards*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000592:standards; D010808:Physical Examination; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity