Repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer actions in a Brazilian state.

Objective: To analyze whether the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in women up to 50 years of age in the state of Pará. Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, using data from the Information Technology Department of the Brazilian Unified Health System. (DATASUS). The number of exams carried out in the pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) period was analyzed based on the percentage variation, application of the chi-square test and G test for the time of exams and start time of treatment. Results: During the pandemic period, there was a greater number of screening mammograms (+3.68%), cytological (+23.68%), histological (+10.7%) and a lower number of diagnostic mammograms (-38.7%). The time interval for carrying out the exams was up to 30 days for screening and diagnostic exams and more than 60 days to start treatment during the pandemic period. Conclusion: Although the results indicate an increase in the number of screening and diagnostic procedures for breast cancer during the pandemic period, with the exception of diagnostic mammography, when considering probability values, the study points out that statistically the COVID-19 pandemic did not interfere with actions of breast cancer, in women over 50 years of age, in the state of Pará. Considering the autonomy of nursing and its role in public health, it is up to the professionals who are in charge of primary care programs to implement contingency plans in periods of crisis so that the population is not left unassisted.

Repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer actions in a Brazilian state / Repercusiones de la pandemia de COVID-19 en las acciones contra el cáncer de mama en un estado brasileira / Repercussões a pandemia da COVID-19 nas ações do câncer de mama em um Estado Brasileiro

Objective. To analyze whether the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in women up to 50 years of age in the state of Pará. Methods. Retrospective, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, using data from the Information Technology Department of the Brazilian Unified Health System. (DATASUS). The number of exams carried out in the pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) period was analyzed based on the percentage variation, application of the chi-square test and G test for the time of exams and start time of treatment. Results. During the pandemic period, there was a greater number of screening mammograms (+3.68%), cytological (+23.68%), histological (+10.7%) and a lower number of diagnostic mammograms (-38.7%). The time interval for carrying out the exams was up to 30 days for screening and diagnostic exams and more than 60 days to start treatment during the pandemic period. Conclusion. Although the results indicate an increase in the number of screening and diagnostic procedures for breast cancer during the pandemic period, with the exception of diagnostic mammography, when considering probability values, the study points out that statistically the COVID-19 pandemic did not interfere with actions of breast cancer, in women over 50 years of age, in the state of Pará. Considering the autonomy of nursing and its role in public health, it is up to the professionals who are in charge of primary care programs to implement contingency plans in periods of crisis so that the population is not left unassisted.

Objetivo. Analizar si la pandemia de COVID-19 tuvo impacto en el tamizaje, diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer de mama en mujeres de 50 años y más del Estado do Pará-Brasil. Métodos. Estudio retrospectivo, transversal, con abordaje cuantitativo, en el que se utilizaron los datos del Departamento de Informática del Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil (DATASUS). Se comparó el número de exámenes realizados y el tiempo para el inicio de tratamiento en los períodos prepandémico (2018-2019) y pandémico (2020-2021). Resultados. Se observó un mayor número de mamografías de cribado (+3.68%), citologías (+23.68%) e histologías (+10.7%) y un menor número de mamografías diagnósticas (-38.7%) en el período pandémico. El tiempo para la realización de las pruebas fue de hasta 30 días para el cribado y diagnóstico y de más de 60 días para el inicio del tratamiento durante el período pandémico. Conclusión. Aunque los resultados indican un aumento del número de procedimientos de cribado y diagnóstico del cáncer de mama en el periodo pandémico, con la excepción de la mamografía diagnóstica, cuando consideramos los valores de p) el estudio muestra que la pandemia COVID-19 estadísticamente no interfirió en las acciones preventivas contra el cáncer de mama en mujeres de 50 años y más en el estado de Pará. Teniendo en cuenta la autonomía de la enfermería y su papel en la salud pública, corresponde a los profesionales responsables de los programas de atención primaria implementar planes de contingencia en tiempos de crisis para no dejar desatendida a la población.

Objetivo. Analisar se a pandemia da COVID-19 repercutiu no rastreamento, diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama em mulheres paraenses a partir de 50 anos. Métodos. Estudo retrospectivo, transversal, de abordagem quantitativa, com utilização de dados do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro. (DATASUS). Analisou-se o número de exames realizados no período pré-pandemia (2018-2019) e pandêmico (2020-2021) com base na variação percentual, aplicação do teste qui quadrado e teste G para o tempo de realização de exames e tempo de início de tratamento. Resultados. Observou-se no período pandêmico maior quantitativo de mamografias de rastreamento (+3.68%), citológicos (+23.68%), histológicos (+10.7%) e menor registro de mamografias diagnósticas (-38.7%). O intervalo de tempo para realização dos exames foi de até 30 dias para os exames de rastreamento e diagnóstico e tempo maior que 60 dias para início de tratamento no período pandêmico. Conclusão. Embora os resultados indiquem aumento no quantitativo de procedimentos de rastreamento e diagnósticos para o câncer de mama no período pandêmico, com exceção da mamografia diagnóstica, ao considerarmos os valores de probabilidade, o estudo aponta que estatisticamente a pandemia da COVID-19 não interferiu nas ações do câncer de mama, em mulheres a partir de 50 anos, no Estado do Pará. Considerando a autonomia da enfermagem e sua atuação na saúde pública, cabe aos profissionais que estão à frente dos programas da atenção básica implementar planos de contingência em períodos de crise para que a população não fique desassistida.

Breast microcalcifications: Past, present and future (Review).

Mammary microcalcifications (MCs) are calcium deposits that are considered as robust markers of breast cancer when identified on mammography. MCs are frequently associated with premalignant and malignant lesions. The aim of the present review was to describe the MC types and associated radiological and pathological aspects in detail, provide insights and approaches to the topic, and describe specific clinical scenarios. The primary MC types are composed of calcium oxalate, hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite associated with magnesium. The first type is usually associated with benign conditions, while the others remain primarily associated with malignancy. Radiologically, MCs are classified as benign or suspicious. MCs may represent an active pathological mineralization process rather than a passive process, such as degeneration or necrosis. Practical management of breast specimens requires finely calibrated radiological pathological procedures. Understanding the molecular and structural development of MCs may contribute to breast lesion detection and treatment.

A real use case of semi-supervised learning for mammogram classification in a local clinic of Costa Rica.

The implementation of deep learning-based computer-aided diagnosis systems for the classification of mammogram images can help in improving the accuracy, reliability, and cost of diagnosing patients. However, training a deep learning model requires a considerable amount of labelled images, which can be expensive to obtain as time and effort from clinical practitioners are required. To address this, a number of publicly available datasets have been built with data from different hospitals and clinics, which can be used to pre-train the model. However, using models trained on these datasets for later transfer learning and model fine-tuning with images sampled from a different hospital or clinic might result in lower performance. This is due to the distribution mismatch of the datasets, which include different patient populations and image acquisition protocols. In this work, a real-world scenario is evaluated where a novel target dataset sampled from a private Costa Rican clinic is used, with few labels and heavily imbalanced data. The use of two popular and publicly available datasets (INbreast and CBIS-DDSM) as source data, to train and test the models on the novel target dataset, is evaluated. A common approach to further improve the model's performance under such small labelled target dataset setting is data augmentation. However, often cheaper unlabelled data is available from the target clinic. Therefore, semi-supervised deep learning, which leverages both labelled and unlabelled data, can be used in such conditions. In this work, we evaluate the semi-supervised deep learning approach known as MixMatch, to take advantage of unlabelled data from the target dataset, for whole mammogram image classification. We compare the usage of semi-supervised learning on its own, and combined with transfer learning (from a source mammogram dataset) with data augmentation, as also against regular supervised learning with transfer learning and data augmentation from source datasets. It is shown that the use of a semi-supervised deep learning combined with transfer learning and data augmentation can provide a meaningful advantage when using scarce labelled observations. Also, we found a strong influence of the source dataset, which suggests a more data-centric approach needed to tackle the challenge of scarcely labelled data. We used several different metrics to assess the performance gain of using semi-supervised learning, when dealing with very imbalanced test datasets (such as the G-mean and the F2-score), as mammogram datasets are often very imbalanced. Graphical Abstract Description of the test-bed implemented in this work. Two different source data distributions were used to fine-tune the different models tested in this work. The target dataset is the in-house CR-Chavarria-2020 dataset.

Awareness of Self-Examination, Screening, and Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Among Women Awaiting Care at the Outpatient Clinic of a Mastology Unit.

This study aimed to evaluate the awareness and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) and the awareness of screening and risk factors for breast cancer among patients from a mastology clinic and to associate such findings with sociodemographic factors of that population. A total of 202 randomly selected patients from the outpatient clinic of the Mastology Unit of São Paulo School of Medicine were interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used and included questions regarding sociodemographic variables, questions to assess the knowledge and practice of BSE, and knowledge of mammographic screening and risk factors for breast cancer. The vast majority of patients were aware of the existence of BSE (93.1%). BSE was performed by most patients (64.9%), although only 20.3% performed it adequately. Only 21.8% of respondents showed awareness of the best screening method for breast cancer. Furthermore, 17.3% of patients showed adequate awareness of risk factors for breast cancer. The analysis of sociodemographic variables showed that older, postmenopausal, and less-educated women showed better practice of BSE. Overall, the patients had no adequate awareness of BSE, mammographic screening, and risk factors for breast cancer, and the majority failed to practice BSE adequately, particularly the group of patients with the higher level of education. These data show that educational measures regarding the practice of BSE and, especially, mammograms should be emphasized, regardless of education level or family income of the patient.

Breast cancer screening patterns in Jamaican women: review of the largest national mammography clinic.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer and cancer related deaths in Jamaican women. In Jamaica, women often present with advanced stages of breast cancer, despite the availability of screening mammography for early detection. The utilization of screening mammography for early breast cancer diagnosis seems to be limited, and this study investigated the national patterns of mammographic screening and the impact of mammography on the diagnosis of breast cancer in Jamaica. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the records of the largest mammography clinic in Jamaica was done for the period January 2011 to December 2016. Descriptive statistics was performed on relevant patient characteristics with calculation of rates and proportions; cross-tabulations were utilized to assess relationship of covariates being studied on the outcomes of interest. Results are reported in aggregate form with no identifiable patient data. RESULTS: 48,203 mammograms were performed during the study period. 574 women (1.2%) had mammograms suspicious for breast cancer with median age of 57 years (range 30-95 years); 35% were under the age of 50. 4 women with suspicious findings had undergone 'screening mammography', with the remaining having 'diagnostic mammography'. 38% reported previous mammograms, with a mean interval of 8 years between previous normal mammogram and mammogram suspicious for breast cancer. Median age at first screening mammogram was 51 years (range 41-77). CONCLUSION: Breast cancer screening mammography is underutilized in Jamaica. An organized national breast cancer screening programme is recommended to improve adherence to international breast cancer screening guidelines.

Evaluation of the Pink Luminous Breast LED-Based Technology Device as a Screening Tool for the Early Detection of Breast Abnormalities.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of sex-specific female cancer deaths in the United States. Detection at earlier stages contributes to decreasing the mortality rate. The mammogram is the "Gold Standard" for breast cancer screening with an estimated sensitivity of 86.9% and a specificity of 88.9%. However, these values are negatively affected by the breast density considered a risk factor for developing breast cancer. Herein, we validate the novel LED-based medical device Pink Luminous Breast (PLB) by comparison with the mammogram using a double blinded approach. The PLB works by emitting a LED red light with a harmless spectrum of 640-800 nanometers. This allows the observation of abnormalities represented by dark or shadow areas. In this study, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the PLB device as a screening tool for the early detection of breast abnormalities. Our results show that the PLB device has a high sensitivity (89.6%) and specificity (96.4%) for detecting breast abnormalities comparable to the adjusted mammogram values: 86.3 and 68.9%, respectively. The percentage of presence of breast density was 78.2% using PLB vs. 72.9% with the mammogram. Even with higher findings of breast density, the PLB is still capable of detecting 9.4% of calcifications compared to 6.2% in mammogram results and the reported findings for cysts, masses, or tumor-like abnormalities was higher using the PLB (6.5%) than the mammogram (5.6%). A 100% of the participants felt comfortable using the device without feeling pain or discomfort during the examination with 100% acceptability. The PLB positive validation shows its potential for routine breast screening at non-clinical settings. The PLB provides a rapid, non-invasive, portable, and easy-to-use tool for breast screening that can complement the home-based breast self-examination technique or the clinical breast examination. In addition, the PLB can be conveniently used for screening breasts with surgical implants. PLB provides an accessible and painless breast cancer screening tool. The PLB use is not intended to replace the mammogram for breast screening but rather to use it as an adjunct or complemental tool as part of more efficient earlier detection strategies contributing to decrease mortality rates.

Social inequalities in breast cancer screening: evaluating written communications with immigrant Haitian women in Montreal.

BACKGROUND: The province of Quebec (Canada) has implemented a breast cancer screening program to diagnose this cancer at an early stage. The strategy is to refer women 50 to 69 years old for a mammogram every two years by sending an invitation letter that acts as a prescription. Ninety per cent (90%) of deaths due to breast cancer occur in women aged 50 and over. Numerous studies have shown social inequalities in health for most diseases. With breast cancer, a significant paradox arises: its incidence is lower among disadvantaged women and yet, more of them die from this disease. The health care system might play a role in this inequality. The scientific literature documents the potential for creating such inequalities when prevention does not consider equity among social groups. Immigrant women are often disadvantaged. They die of breast cancer more than non-immigrants. Studies attribute this to late-stage diagnosis due to poor adherence to mammography screening programs. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The main objective of our research is to assess how Haitian immigrant women in Montreal are reached by the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program, and specifically how they perceive the mammogram referral letter sent by the program. METHODS: The study uses a two-step qualitative method: i) In-depth interviews with influential community workers to identify the most relevant issues; ii) Focus groups with disadvantaged women from Montreal's Haitian community. RESULTS: A mammogram referral letter from the Breast Cancer Screening Program may be a barrier to compliance with mammography by underprivileged Haitian women in Montreal. This might be attributable to a low level of literacy, poor knowledge of the disease, and lack of financial resources. CONCLUSION: Barriers may be underestimated in underprivileged immigrant and non-immigrant communities. A preventive strategy must be adapted to different sub-groups and must also take into account lower literacy levels. To increase mammography uptake, it is crucial that the benefits of prevention be clearly identified and described in understandable terms. Finally, economic access to follow-up measures should be considered.

Combination of noise removal and contrast enhancement methods for the preprocessing of mammogram images - towards the detection of breast cancer / Combinação de métodos de remoção de ruído e aperfeiçoamento de contraste para o pré-processamento de imagens de mamografias - rumo à detecção do câncer de mama

Breast cancer is a major killer disease for women and men. It can be treated and controlled only if it is detected at its earlier stage. Early detection can be achieved by the help of Computer Aided Detection (CAD) methods. From the detailed study on previous researches, it is found that, there is no system producing 100% accuracy because of one or more reasons. Absence of effective preprocessing is the discussed reason that obstructs the detection accuracy of CAD method. Noise removal and contrast enhancement are the two types of preprocessing. There is no system performs both the preprocessing on mammogram image. This work is an attempt to develop an enhanced preprocessing method for CAD of breast cancer by incorporating suitable noise reduction and contrast enhancement methods in the conventional CAD system. Among the available noise reduction techniques, Fast Discrete Curvelet Transform (FDCT) based UnequiSpaced Fast Fourier Transform (USFFT) has been utilized and the Modified Local Range Modification (MLRM) technique has been utilized for contrast enhancement. Contrast enhancement after noise reduction double enhances the mammogram image and the proposed methods MSE value for the mammogram image mdb072 has been 1.44% reduced when comparing to the LRM method. Reduction in MSE increases the PSNR to 0.16%. Many mammogram images have been tested and the result shows that, increase in contrast, decrease in mean square error and increase in peak signal to noise ratio when comparing to existing methods.

Introdução: O câncer de mama é uma grande doença mortal para mulheres e homens. Ele só pode ser tratado e controlado se for detectado em sua fase inicial. A detecção precoce pode ser alcançada com a ajuda de métodos de detecção assistida por computador (CAD). A partir do estudo detalhado sobre pesquisas anteriores, verifica-se que, não há um sistema com 100% de precisão por causa de uma ou mais razões. A ausência de pré-processamento efetivo é o motivo discutido que obstrui a precisão de detecção do método CAD. A remoção de ruído e o aprimoramento do contraste são os dois tipos de pré-processamento. Não existe um sistema que realize ambos os pré-processamentos na imagem da mamografia. Objetivo: Este trabalho é uma tentativa de desenvolver um método de pré-processamento aprimorado para CAD de câncer de mama, incorporando métodos adequados de redução de ruído e aprimoramento de contraste no sistema de CAD convencional. Métodos: Entre as técnicas de redução de ruído disponíveis, a transformada de curva discreta rápida (FDCT) baseada na transformada rápida de Fourier desigualmente espaçada (USFFT) foi utilizada e a técnica de modificação de faixa local modificada (MLRM) foi utilizada para aprimoramento de contraste. Resultados: o aprimoramento do contraste após a redução do ruído melhora o dobro da imagem da mamografia e os métodos propostos para o valor de MSE para a imagem da mamografia mdb072 foram reduzidas em 1,44% quando comparados ao método LRM. A redução de MSE aumenta o PSNR para 0,16%. Conclusão: muitas imagens de mamografia foram testadas e o resultado mostra que, aumento no contraste, diminuição do erro quadrático médio e aumento da relação pico do sinal/ruído quando comparado aos métodos existentes.

Breast self-exam and patient interval associate with advanced breast cancer and treatment delay in Mexican women.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare treatment intervals in breast cancer patients according to the detection method (breast self-exam vs screening). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis including 291 breast cancer patients at a Mexican tertiary referral hospital. RESULTS: Breast cancer detection method was mostly breast self-exam (60%). The median patient interval was 60.5 days, and was associated with marital status and socioeconomic level. Differences between the two groups were statistically significant for global interval, p = 0.002; however, health system interval was not statistically different. CONCLUSION: In our country, breast cancer screening is opportunistic, with several weaknesses within its management and quality systems. Our study showed that even in specialized health care centers, breast cancer is detected by self-exam in up to 2/3 of patients, which can explain the advanced stages at diagnosis in our country. In developing countries, the immediate health care access for breast cancer patients should be prioritized as an initial step to reduce the global treatment initiation interval in order to reduce mortality.

Determinants of percent mammographic density in women with premature ovarian insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the determinants of breast density in women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 163 women with POI undergoing mammography, percent mammographic density (PMD) was evaluated by digitizing the image. PMD was correlated with age, age at menarche, age at POI, time since POI, body mass index (BMI), gestational history and hormone therapy (HT) use (duration, dose, regimen). RESULTS: POI was diagnosed at a mean age of 32.3 ± 5.9 years. The mean age of the women at mammography was 41.3 ± 5.4 years; mean BMI was 27.4 ± 5.4 kg/m2 and mean PMD was 24.3 ± 18.5. Mean PMD did not differ between the different age groups evaluated (29-39, 40-49 and 50-55 years) or between users and non-users of HT. Mean duration of HT use was 5.6 ± 4.7 years. PMD was higher in nulligravidas compared to women who had been pregnant (p = 0.0016); however, POI occurred earlier in nulligravidas (p < 0.0001). PMD correlated negatively with BMI (r = -0.27; p = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: In women with POI, HT use had no effect on PMD, irrespective of the duration of use, dose or regimen. Pregnancy and BMI were consistently associated with PMD, with density being greater in nulligravidas and in women with lower BMI.

Cribado para cáncer cervicouterino y de mama en la población femenina de la ciudad de cipolletti / Screening for cervix cancer and breast cancer in the female population of the city ofcipolletti

INTRODUCCIÓN: la detección precoz del cáncerde mama y cuello de útero en la mujer ha permitido aumentarla sobrevida y aun la curación en estas dos afecciones. Tanto lamamografía como la realización del Papanicolau (PAP) tienen unaadecuada sensibilidad y especificidad para la detección de tumoresincipientes. OBJETIVOS: conocer las prevalencias de utilizaciónde mamografía y PAP en la población femenina de la ciudad deCipolletti. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de prevalencia. Seincluyeron mujeres mayores de 18 años, no institucionalizadasy con más de 10 años de residencia. Los principales indicadoresfueron: realización de PAP y mamografía en los últimos dos años.RESULTADOS: Participaron del estudio 642 mujeres encuestadasefectivamente con edad promedio 50,24 +/-16,73 años y un rangoentre 18 y 91 años. El 76,7% (IC95%: 67,1-84,1%) de entre 50 y70 años había utilizado la mamografía, y el 74,9% (IC95%: 66,7-81,6%) de entre 25 y 65 se había realizado el Pap en los últimos 2años. Ambos indicadores resultaron mejores que en la Provinciade Río Negro. CONCLUSIONES: Si bien no todas las diferenciasdetectadas fueron estadísticamente significativas, se observa unatendencia a mayor prevalencia de realización de mamografía enCipolletti que en el resto de la provincia, la región y el país.

INTRODUCTION: early detection of breast cancer andcervix cancer in women has led to increased survival and evencure these diseases. Both mammography and Papanicolau (Pap)smear have adequate sensitivity and specificity for detection at earlystage these tumors. OBJECTIVES: To know the prevalence of use ofmammography and Pap smear in screening for breast cancer andcervix cancer in female population of the city of Cipolletti. METHODS:A cross sectional study was carried out. The population includedresidents of city of Cipolletti, older than 18 years, not institutionalizedand more than 10 years of residence. The main indicators wereperformed Pap smear and mammogram in the past two years.RESULTS: The study surveyed 642 women with an average age of50.24 +/- 16.73 years, with a range of age between 18 and 91 years.Mammogram was used in group included in current recommendationsin Argentina between 50 and 70 years in 76.7% (95% CI67.1% -84.1%) and Pap smear was used in 74.9% (CI95 % 66.7%-81.6%) of participants between 25 and 65 years, in the past 2years. Both indicators were better than they were in the Provinceof Río Negro. CONCLUSIONS: Although not all detected differencesare statistically significant, there is a higher use of mammographyin Cipolletti than in the province, the region and also the country.

Regional and social inequalities in the performance of Pap test and screening mammography and their correlation with lifestyle: Brazilian national health survey, 2013.

BACKGROUND: Mass population screening for the early detection of cervical and breast cancer has been shown to be a safe and effective strategy worldwide and has reduced the incidence and mortality rates of these diseases. The aim of this study is to analyse the reach of screening tests for cervical and breast cancer according to sociodemographic variables and to analyse their correlation with a healthy lifestyle. METHODS: We have analysed data collected from 31.845 women aged 18 and over, who were interviewed for the Brazilian National Health Survey, a nationwide household inquiry, which took place between August 2013 and February 2014. The Pap tests performed in the last 3 years in women aged between 25 and 64 and screening mammogram performed in the last 2 years in women aged between 50 and 69 were considered adequate. We identified habits that constitute a healthy lifestyle, such as the consumption of five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables, 30 min or more of leisurely physical activity and not smoking. RESULTS: We observed that the Pap test (78.8 %) was more widespread than the screening mammogram (54.5 %), with significant geographical and social differences concerning access to health care. Access for such screening was higher for women living in more developed regions (Southeast and South), who were white-skinned, better educated, living with a partner and, especially, who were covered by private health insurance. Those who underwent the tests according to established protocols also had a healthy lifestyle, which corroborates the healthy behaviour pattern of damage prevention. CONCLUSION: Despite the progress made, social disparity still defines access to screening tests for cervical and breast cancer, with women covered by private health insurance tending to benefit the most. It is necessary to reduce social and regional inequalities and ensure a more uniform provision and access to the tests, especially for socially disadvantaged women, in order to reduce the incidence and mortality rate resulting from the aforementioned diseases.

Inequalities in socioeconomic status and race and the odds of undergoing a mammogram in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Access to mammograms, in common with other diagnostic procedures, is strongly conditioned by socioeconomic disparities. Which aspects of inequality affect the odds of undergoing a mammogram, and whether they are the same in different localities, are relevant issues related to the success of health policies. METHODS: This study analyzed data from the 2008 PNAD - Brazilian National Household Sample Survey (11.607 million women 40 years of age or older), on having had at least one mammogram over life for women 40 years of age or older in each of Brazil's nine Metropolitan Regions (MR), according to socioeconomic position. The effects of income, schooling, health insurance and race in the different regions were investigated using multivariate logistical regression for each region individually, and for all MRs combined. The age-adjusted odds of a woman having had a mammogram according to race and stratified by two income strata (and two schooling strata) were also analyzed. RESULTS: Having a higher income increases four to seven times a woman's odds of having had at least one mammogram in all MRs except Curitiba. For schooling, the gradient, though less steep, is favorable to women with more years of study. Having health insurance increases two to three times the odds in all MRs. Multivariate analysis did not show differences due to race (except for the Fortaleza MR), but the stratified analysis by income and schooling shows effects of race in most MRs, with greater differences for women with higher socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that income and schooling, as well as having health insurance, are still important determinants of inequality in health service use in Brazil. Additionally, race also contributes to the odds of having had a mammogram. The point is not to isolate the effect of each factor, but to evaluate how their interrelations may exacerbate differences, generating patterns of cumulative adversity, a theme that is still little explored in Brazil. This is much more important when we consider that race has only recently started be included in analyses of health outcomes in Brazil.

Exame clínico das mamas e mamografia: desigualdades nas regiões Sul e Nordeste do Brasil / Clinical breast examination and mammography: inequalities in Southern and Northeast Brazilian regions

RESUMO: Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência e os fatores associados à realização do exame clínico das mamas (ECM) e da mamografia (MMG) nas regiões Sul e Nordeste do Brasil, focando em algumas desigualdades sociais. Métodos: Estudo transversal, utilizando dados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios, de 2008. Foram avaliadas as prevalências de realização de ECM durante o último ano e de MMG nos últimos dois anos e analisadas conforme variáveis demográficas (idade, cor da pele e estado civil) e socioeconômicas (renda e escolaridade). As razões de prevalência brutas e ajustadas foram obtidas através de regressão de Poisson. As análises foram estratificadas por região. Resultados: Foram avaliadas 27.718 mulheres, entre 40 e 69 anos. Menos da metade das mulheres seguiu a recomendação de realização anual de ECM em ambas as regiões. A prevalência de realização de MMG nos últimos 2 anos foi de 58,6 e 45,5% para a região Sul e a Nordeste, respectivamente. Mais de um quarto das mulheres avaliadas de ambas as regiões nunca realizaram MMG (26,5% no Sul e 40,6% no Nordeste). Nunca ter realizado ambos os exames foi quase duas vezes mais prevalente na região Nordeste (29,7%) do que na região Sul (15,9%). O risco para a não realização de ambos os exames foi maior em mulheres com idades entre 60 e 69 anos, não brancas, com menor escolaridade e com menor renda familiar. Conclusão: Importantes desigualdades foram observadas entre as regiões Sul e Nordeste para o ECM e a MMG. Políticas públicas de saúde devem priorizar grupos mais vulneráveis para reduzi-las.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of doing clinical breast examinations (CBE) and mammogram (MMG) in the Southern and Northeast Brazilian regions, focusing on some social inequalities. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using data from the 2008 National Household Sampling Survey (PNAD). We evaluated the prevalence of CBE during the last year and of the MMG in the last two years, which were analyzed based on demographic (age, skin color, and marital status) and socioeconomic (income and schooling) variables. Gross and adjusted prevalence ratios were obtained using Poisson regression models. All analyses were stratified by region. Results: The sample comprised 27,718 women aged 40 to 69 years. Less than a half of the women followed the recommendation of annual CBE performance in both the regions. The MMG prevalence during the last two years was 58.6 and 45.5% for the Southern and Northeast regions, respectively. More than a quarter of the women had never had a MMG (26.5% in the Southern and 40.6% in the Northeast regions). Not having performed both examinations was almost two times higher in the Northeast region (29.7%) when compared with the Southern (15.9%). The risk for not having performed both examinations was greater among nonwhite women, aged 60 to 69 years, with lower schooling level and family income. Conclusion: Important inequalities were seen between the Southern and Northeast regions for CBE and MMG. Health public policies should prioritize the most vulnerable groups to reduce these inequalities.

Features related to breast cancer in an entire Argentine rural population.

AIM: A descriptive study was developed in an entire Argentine rural community considering breast cancer risk factors, preventive strategies and breast cancer incidence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: the study comprised of 83 women. A questionnaire of 34 items was employed; a mammogram and a breast ultrasound were performed. ANOVA and Pearson correlation were employed. RESULTS: Mean age was 54.5 years; 69% of women were postmenopausal; 96% had children; breastfeeding was X=10 months/child; Body Mass Index (BMI) was X=27.8 kg/m(2); 13% had first-degree relatives with breast cancer; 90% of women considered mammographic screening a necessary study. One woman had presented breast cancer. Argentine screening guidelines were not followed and an inverse relationship between education level and age of first mammogram was found (p<0.05). Mammographic and ultrasound studies did not reveal potential abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Peculiar social and cultural characteristics may be relevant to evaluate breast cancer risk factors in Argentina.

Patrones de utilización de programas de prevención y diagnóstico temprano de cáncer en la mujer / Utilization patterns of prevention and early diagnosis for cancer in women

Objetivo. Estimar los patrones de utilización de los programas preventivos de cáncer en la mujer durante el periodo 2000-2012 en mujeres mexicanas que participaron en tres encuestas nacionales. Material y métodos. Se analizó información de la ENSA 2000 y de las ENSANUT 2006 y 2012 que son representativas de la población del país. Se obtuvieron prevalencias y se aplicaron pruebas de tendencia y regresión de Poisson para determinar las posibilidades de tener una mayor cobertura. Resultados. La cobertura de uso de Papanicolaou en los últimos 12 meses en 2012 fue de 45.5%, de prueba de VPH en los últimos cuatro años fue de 11.9% y de mastografía en los últimos dos años fue de 29.4 y de 17.2% en mujeres de 50 a 69 años y de 40 a 49 años, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Aunque se observa un incremento en la cobertura de los programas de detección se debe impulsar la calidad de los servicios y la cobertura universal.

Objective. To estimate the utilization patterns of cancer prevention programs in women during the period 2000-2012 in Mexican women who participated in three national surveys. Materials and methods. We analyzed data from the ENSA 2000, ENSANUT 2006 and ENSANUT 2012 that are representative of the Mexican population. Prevalences were obtained, trend tests and Poisson regression were used to determine the possibility of having more coverage. Results. The coverage of Papanicolaou use in the last 12 months in 2012 was 45.5%, HPV testing in the last four years was 11.9% and mammography use in the past two years was 29.4% and 17.2% in women aged 50-69 years and 40-49 years, respectively. Conclusions. Although there was an increase in the coverage of screening programs, there should be a boost in the service quality and universal coverage.

Frecuencia de mamografía y examen clínico de mama en mujeres del régimen subsidiado - Manizales (Caldas) / Mammogram frequency and clinical breast exam in women under the subsidized health regime- Manizales (Caldas) / Frequencia de mamografía e exame clínico de mama em muheres do régime subsidiado - Manizales (Caldas)

Objetivo: Determinar la cobertura del examen clínico y mamografía de tamización para cáncer de mama en un grupo de mujeres del régimen subsidiado en el municipio de Manizales. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional de tipo transversal. Se efectuó una encuesta telefónica a 352 mujeres con edades comprendidas entre 50 y 69 años, residentes en el área urbana y rural del municipio de Manizales durante el cuarto trimestre de 2010. La cobertura de tamización se valoró como la proporción de mujeres con antecedente de mamografía y examen clínico de la mama, fueron excluidas las mujeres con antecedente personal de cáncer de mama. Se estimó frecuencia de vida, frecuencia en los últimos dos años y en el último año. Se analizaron factores asociados a la práctica de tamización mediante el cálculo de OR ajustados. Resultados: La frecuencia de vida de uso de examen clínico fue de 56% y de mamografía 42,3%, de los cuales el 3 y el 7% fueron diagnósticos respectivamente (mujeres sintomáticas), el resto lo hizo con fines de cribado. Por tamización 53,1% tenían examen clínico en el último año y 24,7% mamografías en los últimos dos años. No se halló relación de las diferentes variables con la no realización de la mamografía. Conclusiones: Existe una baja cobertura de la mamografía y el examen clínico de mama por tamización en las mujeres del régimen subsidiado, a pesar de las recomendaciones generadas por el Ministerio de la Protección Social y el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología.

Objective: To determine the scope of breast clinical exam and screening for cancer mammogram in a group of women under the subsidized health regime in the municipality of Manizales. Materials and Methods: Observational, transversal type study. Telephone interviews were carried out with 352 women in ages between 50 and 69 years old, resident in the urban and rural areas of the municipality of Manizales during the fourth trimester in 2010. The scope of screening was assessed as the proportion of women with mammogram and clinical breast exam history and women with personal record of breast cancer were excluded. Life frequency, frequency in the last two years and in the previous year was estimated. Factors associated with the screening practice were analyzed using the adjusted OR calculation. Results: Frequency of useful life of the clinical exam was 56% and mammogram was 42.3% from which 3 and 7% were diagnoses respectively (asymptomatic women); the rest were done for screening purposes. Through screening, 53.1% had had clinical exam during the previous year and 24.7% had had mammograms during the last two years. Relationship of the different variables with the carrying out of mammograms was not found. Conclusions: There is low coverage of mammogram and clinical breast exam through screening in women under the subsidized health regime in spite of the recommendations generated by Social Protection Ministry and the National Study of Cancer Institute.

Objetivo: Determinar a cobertura do exame clínico e mamografia de tamisação para câncer de mama num grupo de mulheres do regime subsidiado no município de Manizales. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo observacional de tipo transversal. Efeito se uma enquete telefônica a 352 mulheres com idades compreendidas entre 50 e 69 anos, residentes na aérea urbana e rural do município de Manizales durante o quarto trimestre de 2010. A cobertura de tamisação se valorou como a proporção de mulheres com antecedente de mamografia e exame clínico da mama, foram excluídas as mulheres com antecedente pessoal de câncer de mama. Estimou se frequência nos últimos dois anos e no ultimo ano. Analisaram se fatores associados a pratica de tamisação mediante o calculo de OR ajustados. Resultados: A frequência de vida de uso de exame clinica foi de 56% e de mamografia 42,3%, dos quais o 3 e o 7% foram diagnósticos respectivamente (mulheres sintomáticas), o resto o fez com fins de crivado. Por tamisação 53,1% tinham exame clinico no ultimo ano e 24,7% mamografias nos últimos dois anos. Não se encontrou relação das diferentes variáveis com a não realização da mamografia. Conclusões: Existe uma baixa cobertura da mamografia e o exame clínico de mama por tamisação nas mulheres do regime subsidiado, a pesar das recomendações geradas pelo Ministério da Proteção Social e o Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia.

Densidade mamográfica em mulheres menopausadas assintomáticas: correlação com dados clínicos e exames ultrassonográficos / Mammographic density in asymptomatic menopausal women: correlation with clinical and sonographic findings

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a densidade mamográfica de mulheres menopausadas, assintomáticas, correlacionando com dados clínicos e ultrassonográficos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram analisados, retrospectivamente, as mamografias e os dados clínicos e ultrassonográficos de 238 pacientes assintomáticas, no período entre fevereiro de 2002 e junho de 2006. As variáveis analisadas foram: padrões de densidade mamográfica, achados ultrassonográficos, idade, paridade, índice de massa corporal e uso de terapia de reposição hormonal. RESULTADOS: Idade, paridade e índice de massa corporal apresentaram relação inversa com os padrões de densidade mamográfica, enquanto o uso de terapia de reposição hormonal apresentou relação direta. Foram realizados exames ultrassonográficos complementares em 103 (43,2%) pacientes, sendo constatadas alterações em 34 (33%) delas. Os nódulos ultrassonográficos foram mais frequentes nas mulheres com padrões mamários 3 e 4 e sem expressão mamográfica. CONCLUSÃO: Concluímos que os padrões mamográficos de densidade foram influenciados pela idade, índice de massa corporal, paridade e tempo de uso de terapia de reposição hormonal. Apesar de não termos encontrado alterações malignas nos casos estudados, evidenciamos alterações ultrassonográficas benignas nas mulheres com padrões mamários de alta densidade e que apresentaram mamografias sem alterações, demonstrando a importância da ultrassonografia complementar para a detecção de lesões mamárias nessas pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mammographic breast density in asymptomatic menopausal women in correlation with clinical and sonographic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mammograms and clinical and sonographic findings of 238 asymptomatic patients were retrospectively reviewed in the period from February/2022 to June/2006. The following variables were analyzed: mammographic density patterns, sonographic findings, patients' age, parity, body mass index and use of hormone replacement therapy. RESULTS: Age, parity and body mass index showed a negative correlation with breast density pattern, while use of hormone replacement therapy showed a positive correlation. Supplementary breast ultrasonography was performed in 103 (43.2%) patients. Alterations which could not be visualized at mammography were found in 34 (33%) of them, most frequently in women with breast density patterns 3 and 4. CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that breast density patterns were influenced by age, parity, body mass index and time of hormone replacement therapy. Despite not having found any malignant abnormality in the studied cases, the authors have observed a predominance of benign sonographic abnormalities in women with high breast density patterns and without mammographic abnormalities, proving the relevance of supplementary ultrasonography to identify breast lesions in such patients.

Uso de la mamografía de tamizaje en las pacientes con diagnóstico con cáncer de seno en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Centro Javeriano de Oncología / Use of screening mammograms in patients diagnosed with breast cancer at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Centro Javeriano de Oncología

Introducción. Actualmente el cáncer de seno ha logrado trascender en la salud de las mujeres colombianas, por ser una enfermedad con alta mortalidad. Hoy por hoy, se ofrece tamizaje de oportunidad con mamografía para mujeres mayores de 50 años, pero aún es escasa la información sobre cómo se están detectando los nuevos casos en Colombia. Objetivo. Determinar el uso de la mamografía de tamizaje en mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer de seno que acudieron a su primera consulta con el especialista en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio de Bogotá, Colombia, entre el 2004 y 2007. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional descriptivo, retrospectivo, de 232 nuevos casos de cáncer de seno, de los cuales se recolectaron los siguientes datos: edad en el momento del diagnóstico, motivo de consulta, tiempo de evolución de la sintomatología, tamaño del tumor al examen físico, adenopatías, tipo histológico y estadio clínico. Para el análisis de inferencias, se aplicaron las pruebas t de student y ×2 al cuadrado, según fuera apropiado, estableciendo como significativo un valor p menor de 0.05. Resultados. En nuestra población, sólo 18,1% de las pacientes fueron remitidas por hallazgos anormales en mamografías de tamizaje; la mayoría consultó por síntomas mamarios asociados a estadios más avanzados de la enfermedad. Aquellas que consultaron por masa, en comparación con las que lo hicieron por anormalidades en la mamografía de tamizaje, tuvieron tumores más grandes (5,1 cm versus 3,3 cm p<0,05), con mayor compromiso linfático (46,1% versus 14,3%, p<0,05) y tendencia hacia estadios localmente avanzados (estadio III, 43,3% versus 9,5%, p<0.05). Las mujeres mayores de 50 años tuvieron poco uso de la mamografía de tamizaje (24,7%) y se demoraron dos veces más tiempo en consultar que las menores de 50 años (p<0,05)...

Introduction: Breast cancer has currently become a health issue amongst Colombian women due its high mortality rate. Nowadays opportunity screening is offered with mammograms for women over 50, nonetheless little information is available on how new cases are being detected in Colombia. Objective: Determine the use of screening mammograms in women with breast cancer who had an initial consultation with breast surgeons at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá, Colombia, between 2004 and 2007. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive observational study of 232 newly diagnosed breast cancer cases was carried out in which the following data were collected: age at time of diagnosis, chief complaint, duration of symptoms, tumor size on clinical breast examination, lymph nodes, histological type, and clinical stage. For inferential analysis student´s T and chi square test were used. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results: In this population, only 18.1% of the patients were referred due to abnormal findings on screening mammograms, while the vast majority had breast symptoms as a consequence of advanced disease. Those who had lumps, in comparison to asymptomatic patients, had larger tumors (5.1 cm versus 3.3 cm, p<0.05), larger lymph node involvement (46.1% versus 14.3%, p<0.05), and had a stronger tendency of locally advanced disease (stage III 43.3% versus 9.5%, p<0.05). Women over 50 had a low use of screening mammograms (24.7%) and waited twice as much before having an appointment with a specialist, when compared to those less than 50 (p<0.05). Conclusions: The majority of breast cancer cases were symptomatic, and early detection was small in this population; as a consequence, advanced disease was diagnosed in a larger proportion. These results contribute to support the growing need to develop strategies to teach women and health professionals about the benefits of mammograms, breast self exam, and clinical breast exam as tools for early detection.