NOVA-SCOTIA BREAST SCREENING-PROGRAM EXPERIENCE - USE OF NEEDLE CORE BIOPSY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF SCREENING-DETECTED ABNORMALITIES

PURPOSE: To evaluate a mammography screening program that uses a multi disciplinary team approach and needle core biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHO DS: A total of 10,000 asymptomatic women (aged 40-74 years) underwent screening in the Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program between June 199 1 and April 1994. Women aged 50-69 years were the target group. All ma mmograms were read by one of four radiologists. Patients with abnormal screening findings underwent work-up, which included needle core biop sy, at one of two diagnostic centers. RESULTS: Of 10,000 women, 2,794 were aged 40-49 years; 4,097, 50-59 years; 2,941, 60-69 years; and 168 , 70-74 years, with 3.9, 6.4, 12.2, and 23.8 cancers detected per 1,00 0 patients, respectively. The overall rate was 7.7 cancers detected pe r 1,000 patients. Abnormalities were detected at screening in 838 pati ents (8.4%), 181 of whom underwent open surgery, with malignancy diagn osed in 77 (42%). Sixty-one (79%) of 77 patients had stage 0 or I canc er. In 43 (72%) of 60 patients in whom node status was assessed, findi ngs were negative. CONCLUSION: A screening program with needle core bi opsy and a multidisciplinary team approach to diagnosis is effective.