Screening and diagnosis of breast cancer in low-resource countries: what is state of the art?

Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2011 Aug;32(4):300-5. doi: 10.1053/j.sult.2011.04.002.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide; there has been a significant increase in the incidence of breast cancer in low-resource countries, with a disproportionately greater mortality rate compared to high-resource countries attributed to a lack of public awareness of the disease, absence of organized screening programs, and lack of accessible and effective treatment options. Mammography is not a cost-effective or a feasible option for screening and early detection of breast cancer in low-resource countries. A triple test assessment approach of screening clinical breast examination, diagnostic breast ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology may be a feasible option for the early detection of breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Developing Countries*
  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Palpation
  • Ultrasonography, Mammary / methods*