Evaluation of diagnostic ultrasound use in a breast cancer detection strategy in Northern Peru

PLoS One. 2021 Jun 11;16(6):e0252902. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252902. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

To evaluate the diagnostic impact of point-of-care breast ultrasound by trained primary care physicians (PCPs) as part of a breast cancer detection program using clinical breast exam in an underserved region of Peru. Medical records and breast ultrasound images of symptomatic women presenting to the Breast Cancer Detection Model (BCDM) in Trujillo, Peru were collected from 2017-2018. Performance was measured against final outcomes derived from regional cancer center medical records, fine needle aspiration results, patient follow-up (sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values), and by percent agreement with the retrospective, blinded interpretation of images by a fellowship-trained breast radiologist, and a Peruvian breast surgeon. The diagnostic impact of ultrasound, compared to clinical breast exam (CBE), was calculated for actual practice and for potential impact of two alternative reporting systems. Of the 171 women presenting for breast ultrasound, 23 had breast cancer (13.5%). Breast ultrasound used as a triage test (current practice) detected all cancer cases (including four cancers missed on confirmatory CBE). PCPs showed strong agreement with radiologist and surgeon readings regarding the final management of masses (85.4% and 80.4%, respectively). While the triage system yielded a similar number of biopsies as CBE alone, using the condensed and full BI-RADS systems would have reduced biopsies by 60% while identifying 87% of cancers immediately and deferring 13% to six-month follow-up. Point-of-care ultrasound performed by trained PCPs improves diagnostic accuracy for managing symptomatic women over CBE alone and enhances access. Greater use of BI-RADS to guide management would reduce the diagnostic burden substantially.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Observer Variation
  • Peru
  • Point-of-Care Testing
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography, Mammary*

Grants and funding

We would like to acknowledge and thank present and past funders—The Pfizer Foundation https://www.pfizer.com/purpose/global-health/strengthening-health-systems/the-pfizer-foundation. The Susan G. Komen Foundation https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer-research/grants/funded/ and the Norwegian Cancer Society https://www.uicc.org/what-we-do/thematic-areas-work/breast-cancer. PATH and authors VT, IC and VC received funding from these sources. Sponsoring foundations did not play a role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. We would also like to acknowledge the Peruvian national government and Peruvian Ministry of Health for funding and support through two government-run programs: Seguro Integral de Salud and the Plan Esperanza initiative.