Targeted breast cancer screening in women younger than 40: results from a statewide program.
BACKGROUND
Our state Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) has previously reported a paucity of data supporting breast screening for asymptomatic women younger than 40 (cancer detection rate of .25% per screening-year). In partnership with the local Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, we began a targeted "screening" program to evaluate women younger than 40 referred for symptoms or other concerns.


METHODS
Retrospective data review of program results, including demographics, symptoms, evaluations performed, and outcomes.


RESULTS
A total of 176 women, ages 16 to 39 years, were referred to the BCCP/Komen program. Of the women with documented presenting symptoms, the most common was breast lump (81%). Evaluation triggered 75 surgical referrals and 69 biopsies, yielding 16 cancers (a biopsy positive rate of 23% and overall cancer detection rate from the program of 9%).


CONCLUSIONS
For women younger than age 40, targeted breast cancer screening is a more efficient utilization of screening resources, with a higher cancer detection rate than asymptomatic screening.
Sarff
MaryClare
M
Oregon Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, Portland, OR, USA.
Schmidt
Katherine
K
Vetto
John T
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009922:Oregon; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography