Opportunistic breast cancer early detection in Tyrol, Austria 1996-2004. Is a mammography-screening program necessary?

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluate the need for a mammography-screening program for Tyrol, as recently proposed in an OBIG feasibility study commissioned by the Austrian Ministry for Health and Women, in view of the already existing organized opportunistic screening.

Materials and methods: This author has examined the state of breast cancer early detection and diagnosis in Tyrol. A comprehensive review of all available data and results based on 3340 primary biopsy recommendations between 1996 and 2004 at our breast centre was performed.

Results: Early detection has been improved by organizing the existing opportunistic screening through a true team approach, incorporating not only the clinic's specialties, but also the private radiologists and referring physicians. In 2004, our centre made the definitive diagnosis in 230 (67.6%) of the about 340 primary breast cancer cases occurring yearly in Tyrol with 62.2% being discovered by routine examination and 74.3% stemming from second opinion examinations. About 92.4% of our primary biopsies are performed minimally invasive with an overall 42.9% (1375 of 3205 cases) malignancy rate. Pathological TNM-staging was obtained in over 95% of women under 70 years of age. On average 55.3% (62.0% in 2004) of all discovered cancers were TNM-stage 1 or better lesions (76.2% in our routine patients). With an overall participation of about 75% of our target group (women over 34 years), it is women under the age of 50 years, who most consistently follow our recommendations, resulting in an above average rate of 58.5% TNM-stage 1 and better lesions for all discovered breast cancers (routine and symptomatic) in this group.

Conclusions: Opportunistic screening with a true team approach, combined with minimally invasive diagnosis and a strive for excellence have resulted in improved diagnosis, ever expanding patient and referring physician acceptance and an increase of positive prognostic factors, which eclipses the results of any published international mammography-screening program. A program as proposed by the OBIG would only represent one giant leap backwards for Tyrolean womankind!