The Role of Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool for Breast Cancer in the Screening of Younger Women (Age 25-38) in Guyana

Abstract

Objective: Ultrasound is used in many ways, not only as an initial diagnostic tool for confirmation of pathology determined from biopsies of the breast but also staging of breast cancer. Ultrasound is inexpensive and readily available almost all over the country. In a recent publication from the UK, the incidence of breast cancer in women younger than 35 years was 1.4% and in those younger than 30 years it was 0.43%. Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst women worldwide. There were approximately 1.38 million new cases of breast cancer in the year 2008 and by 2020 this figure is anticipated to escalate to 1.7 million. Methodology:This research was a qualitative retrospective study which focused on charts from the Cancer Institute of Guyana that was acquired during the period of January 2010 to December 2016. Triple data entry was done to avoid errors. Data was entered into Microsoft excel 2007.Results: A total of 80 charts were reviewed, with a 95% confidence level and a confidence interval of 9.42. The average age at which women were being screened is 33 from 2010-2016. Ultrasound showed sensitivity was 97% and the specificity 98%. Discussion:Ultrasound was shown to be more sensitive than mammogram. Afro-Guyanese were the majority screened. Most persons had ultrasound done with both malignant and benign diseases being discovered with this modality. The malignant cases were more frequently diagnosed at stage II and the average of detection was 33. Conclusion:Ultrasound is effective and sensitive in the diagnosis of breast cancer. It is also effective in diagnosing benign breast diseases in younger women with dense breast tissue. Ultrasound is cheaper and safer than other imaging modalities for screening and diagnosis. RecommendationsRadiologists are advising women to have a combined mammogram and breast ultrasound for better results. More awareness is required in order to stop breast diseases from progressing.

Comparative study between contrast-enhanced mammography, tomosynthesis, and breast ultrasound as complementary techniques to mammography in dense breast parenchyma

“…Our results matched with Nandan et al [31], a retrospective study that focused on charts from the Cancer Institute of Guyana to assess the role of ultrasound in screening young women. They concluded that ultrasonography is effective and sensitive in the diagnosis of breast cancer.…”

Factors Associated with False Positive Breast Cancer Results in the Real-Time Sonoelastography Evaluation of Solid Breast Lesions

“…Sonoelastography is a valuable tool in this regard as it can be used to detect malignant breast lesions in an incipient state, potentially improving patient prognosis. Another characteristic of young women is that they tend to exhibit dense breasts [63,64], a feature that is compatible with evaluation by sonoelastography.…”

Automated robotic breast ultrasound acquisition using ultrasound feedback

“…Furthermore, it is more reliable than mammography in detecting cancers in dense breasted women and the distinction between cystic and solid lesions can be made. Also, malignant lesions are recognized with 98% confidence [1].…”

“…3D US breast acquisitions would overcome these limitations: larger ROIs can be imaged, arbitrary cross-sections of this ROI are possible, and measurements of the size and 1 are affiliated with the Robotics and Mechatronics group, University of Twente, The Netherlands m.k.welleweerd@utwente.nl 2 is affiliated with the Bio-mechatronics and Energy-Efficient Robotics group, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, The Russian Federation.…”