Surgical outcomes of a breast cancer-screening program for low-income women.
OBJECTIVE
Surgical outcomes from a breast cancer-screening program of low-income women are similar to those of other screening programs.


METHODS
Prospective cohort.


METHODS
Federally funded screening program.


METHODS
A total of 15730 women.


METHODS
A total of 23149 mammograms, 20396 with concomitant clinical breast examination, from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 2001.


METHODS
American College of Radiology scores; associated surgery consultations, biopsies, operations, and pathology results.


RESULTS
Most (20868) of the 21296 mammograms assigned an American College of Radiology score were benign; only 428 (2%) were suspicious. Resulting from suspicious clinical breast examinations, the group with American College of Radiology scores of 1 to 3 accounted for 45%, 18%, and 10% of recommended surgical consultations, biopsies, and cancers detected, respectively. A rate of 12.3 cancers per 1000 women was found, greater than with other screening programs. Compliance with therapy was 97%.


CONCLUSIONS
This screening program had a higher rate of advanced cancers. Clinical breast examination was an important component, and compliance with surgical recommendations was excellent.
Jimenez-Lee
Ricardo
R
Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
Oslak
Selene G
SG
Hedberg
Katrina
K
Vetto
John T
JT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011203:Poverty