Takayoshi Uematsu1. 1. Department of Breast Imaging and Breast Intervention Radiology, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan. t.uematsu@scchr.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Current breast cancer screening programs worldwide offer only mammography for asymptomatic women, without clinical breast examination (CBE). The sensitivity and specificity of true asymptomatic screening mammography are important, especially in Japan. METHODS: This study used data from the Japan Strategic Anti-cancer Randomized Trial (J-START) results, and then calculated the sensitivity and specificity of screening mammography without CBE among Japanese women aged 40-49 years. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of modern film mammography, performed biennially, among Japanese women aged 40-49 years were 71.7% and 92.6%, respectively. The sensitivity of mammography alone was 47.4%. From the secondary analysis, the sensitivity of mammography alone was 44.1% for women with dense breasts and 34.8% for women with non-dense breasts. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of mammography alone of 47.4% is too low. The low sensitivity of screening mammography for true asymptomatic Japanese women aged 40-49 years places this population at an elevated risk, which can justify performing adjunctive ultrasonography.
BACKGROUND: Current breast cancer screening programs worldwide offer only mammography for asymptomatic women, without clinical breast examination (CBE). The sensitivity and specificity of true asymptomatic screening mammography are important, especially in Japan. METHODS: This study used data from the Japan Strategic Anti-cancer Randomized Trial (J-START) results, and then calculated the sensitivity and specificity of screening mammography without CBE among Japanese women aged 40-49 years. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of modern film mammography, performed biennially, among Japanese women aged 40-49 years were 71.7% and 92.6%, respectively. The sensitivity of mammography alone was 47.4%. From the secondary analysis, the sensitivity of mammography alone was 44.1% for women with dense breasts and 34.8% for women with non-dense breasts. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of mammography alone of 47.4% is too low. The low sensitivity of screening mammography for true asymptomatic Japanese women aged 40-49 years places this population at an elevated risk, which can justify performing adjunctive ultrasonography.