Erkin Aribal1, Patricia Mora2, Arvind K Chaturvedi3, Kristijana Hertl4, Jasna Davidović5, Dina H Salama6, Vesna Gershan7, Maksimilian Kadivec4, Clara Odio8, Manju Popli9, Harriet Kisembo10, Zahida Sabih11, Saša Vujnović12, Arda Kayhan13, Harry Delis14, Diana Paez14, Francesco Giammarile14. 1. Acibadem M.A.A.University, Radiology Department, Altunizade Hospital, Breast Health Center, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: earibal@gmail.com. 2. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Atómicas, Nucleares y Moleculares, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica. 3. Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Delhi, India. 4. Dora Screening Programme, Ljubljana, Slovenia. 5. University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Department of Medical Physics and Radiation Protection, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 6. National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Egypt. 7. Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Skopje, The Former Yugolav Republic of Macedonia. 8. Departamento de Radiología, Hospital Max Peralta, Costa Rica. 9. Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India. 10. Mulago National Referral and Teaching Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. 11. Multan Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy, Multan, Pakistan. 12. University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Department of Clinical Radiology, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Faculty of Medicine, Banja Luka, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 13. Saglik Bilimleri University, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Teaching and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. 14. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this paper is to present baseline imaging data and the improvement that was achieved by the participating centers after applying practice-specific interventions that were identified during the course of a multicentric multinational research coordinated project. INTRODUCTION: The incidence and mortality rates from breast cancer are rising worldwide and particularly rapidly across the countries with limited resources. Due to lack of awareness and screening options it is usually detected at a later stage. Breast cancer screening programs and even clinical services on breast cancer have been neglected in such countries particularly due to lack of available equipment, funds, organizational structure and quality criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A harmonized form was designed in order to facilitate uniformity of data collection. Baseline data such as type of equipment, number of exams, type and number of biopsy procedures, stage of cancer at detection were collected from 10 centers (9 countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Egypt, India, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Slovenia, Turkey, Uganda) were collected. Local practices were evaluated for good practice and specific interventions such as training of professionals and quality assurance programs were identified. The centers were asked to recapture the data after a 2-year period to identify the impact of the interventions. RESULTS: The data showed increase in the number of training of relevant professionals, positive changes in the mammography practice and image guided interventions. All the centers achieved higher levels of success in the implementation of the quality assurance procedures. CONCLUSION: The study has encountered different levels of breast imaging practice in terms of expertise, financial and human resources, infrastructure and awareness. The most common challenges were the lack of appropriate quality assurance programs and lack of trained skilled personnel and lack of high-quality equipment. The project was able to create higher levels of breast cancer awareness, collaboration amongst participating centers and professionals. It also improved quality, capability and expertise in breast imaging particularly in centers involved diagnostic imaging.
AIM: The aim of this paper is to present baseline imaging data and the improvement that was achieved by the participating centers after applying practice-specific interventions that were identified during the course of a multicentric multinational research coordinated project. INTRODUCTION: The incidence and mortality rates from breast cancer are rising worldwide and particularly rapidly across the countries with limited resources. Due to lack of awareness and screening options it is usually detected at a later stage. Breast cancer screening programs and even clinical services on breast cancer have been neglected in such countries particularly due to lack of available equipment, funds, organizational structure and quality criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A harmonized form was designed in order to facilitate uniformity of data collection. Baseline data such as type of equipment, number of exams, type and number of biopsy procedures, stage of cancer at detection were collected from 10 centers (9 countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Egypt, India, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Slovenia, Turkey, Uganda) were collected. Local practices were evaluated for good practice and specific interventions such as training of professionals and quality assurance programs were identified. The centers were asked to recapture the data after a 2-year period to identify the impact of the interventions. RESULTS: The data showed increase in the number of training of relevant professionals, positive changes in the mammography practice and image guided interventions. All the centers achieved higher levels of success in the implementation of the quality assurance procedures. CONCLUSION: The study has encountered different levels of breast imaging practice in terms of expertise, financial and human resources, infrastructure and awareness. The most common challenges were the lack of appropriate quality assurance programs and lack of trained skilled personnel and lack of high-quality equipment. The project was able to create higher levels of breast cancer awareness, collaboration amongst participating centers and professionals. It also improved quality, capability and expertise in breast imaging particularly in centers involved diagnostic imaging.
Authors: Anand K Narayan; Huda Al-Naemi; Antar Aly; Mohammad Hassan Kharita; Ruhani Doda Khera; Mohamad Hajaj; Madan M Rehani Journal: Eur J Breast Health Date: 2020-04-01