The Effectiveness of Screening Ultrasonography for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Breast cancer screening in community practices may be different from that in randomized controlled trials. New screening modalities are becoming available. In breast cancer screening, it is essential to undertake effective screening with appropriate methodology. Effective screening should be supported by evidence of a reduced mortality rate. At present, mammography (MG) is the only method for breast cancer screening that has such evidence. However, MG does not achieve sufficient screening accuracy in breasts with high mammary gland density. Since ultrasonography (US) achieves better accuracy in breast cancer detection even in dense breasts and supplemental screening US has the potential to depict early breast cancers not seen on MG, several single-institution observational studies in screening setting began. Studies demonstrated the lower sensitivity of MG screening, 71% in women aged 40–49, when compared with those in women aged 50–59 and 60–69, 85 and 86%, respectively . Assuming that the sensitivity increases from 71 to 86% by adding US to MG. Finally and most importantly, the usefulness of breast screening is reflected in the potential reduction in death due to breast cancer.

Keywords:

Ultrasonography , Screening , Breast Cancer