[Radiological protocol of large scale mammographic screening for breast cancer in L'ariana state of Tunisia]

We present the radiological protocol of the breast cancer screening program of Ariana state in Tunisia. Specifications of this protocol are largely inspired from the french model adapted to the socioeconomic Tunisian conditions. We explain the guidelines of the mammograph specifications, quality insurance of all the process, mammography procedure, double reading, complementary views and ultrasound indications and final results management

[Results and evaluation of 3 years of large scale mammography program in the Ariana state in Tunisia]

To asses and analyse the results of 3 years large scale mammography screening of breast cancer in Ariana state in Tunisia This program, managed by the Family and Population National Office, was addressing to women aged from 49 to 69 years old residing in a area with adds up a population of 459 700 inhabitants including 52 729 women in the target age population. The screening was including a breast clinical examination and a mammography with two incidences face and external profile. The women was invited at their residence or were sensitized in the reproductive health centers, care and base health centers or by a close relation which heard of the program. An enlightened assent was submitted to the women who wished to profit from the screening. In three years, 9093 mammography were carried out of which 8244 were retained in the analyses, that is to say a rate participation of 9, 6%. The rate of women recalled for suspect test was of 18, 1% and it was of 13, 1% among women of more than 50 years. The rate of practiced surgical biopsies was of 0, 5% and the positive predictive value was of 45, 5%. The average time between the date of screening and the result of the screening was 9, 7 days, more important in the event of tests requiring a complementary assessment [61, 7 days]. On the whole 40 cancers were detected by the program, that is to say a rough rate of detected cancers, of 4, 9%, in conformity with the recommendations. The percentage of invasive cancers

[Preliminary results and analysis of feasability of mammographic breast cancer screening in women younger than 50 years of the L'Ariana state of Tunisia]

To report the preliminary results of the feasibility of breast cancer mammographic screening among women younger than 50 years from the l'Ariana state of Tunisia. The National office of the Family and Population [ONFP] launched a protocol on feasibility of breast cancer mammographic screening targeting asymptomatic women aged 40-69 years, from the l'Ariana state in Tunisia. We practiced two oblique and face incidences at the mammography screening unit of the ONFP, whose equipment and control system of quality answered to the European Communitiy for breast cancer screening. We did 5325 mammograms between April 2004 and March 2006. Our targeted population had a 48, 9 years mean age [CI 95% = [48.7 - 49.1]], 60, 3% of them younger than 50 years. There were more young women with high breast denisty [8.2%] compared to the group from 50 to 69 years [2,1%]. The women arising from the 40-49 years cohort had a socio-economic and educational level higher. The complementary rate of examination/explorations was higher in this cohort [19.5%] vs 11.5% for the 50-69 years. The youngest women presented a more often positive test [7.0 vs 5.2%] than the oldest women [p<0.01]. The option to screen breast cancer by mammography in women younger than 40 years in Tunisia is partially justified by the relatively high frequency of this cancer in this age group. Our feasibility poorly useful in screening will be used to sensibilise females to the problematic of breast cancer to obtain a better compliance compared to the older age group of 50-59 years

[Lesions classified ACR3 with the breast cancer screening mammography program of Ariana state: features and problems encountered]

This retrospective work is related to ACR3 mammograms of the program "Feasibility of breast cancer screening by mammography in Ariana Governorate" in order to evaluate the efficiency and short-term quality control of these probably benign lesions. Mammograms classified ACR3 raised the indication of further examination, futher mammogram [profile. expanded or compression]. The monitoring and control period are explained to the patient by the radiologist. 6.6% mammograms were classified as ACR 3 with 71.3% under the age of 50 years. Breast is very dense in 20.5% of cases, and transparent in 6% of cases. Further exams has been performed in 94.5% of cases with a profile in 52% of cases, enlarged in 22.1%, compression in 24.9% and ultrasound in 82.5%.The surveillance protocol was insufficient for 126 women lost to the 1st control, 32 women lost for the 2nd control and 19 women were lost to the 3rd control. After two years monitoring. 219 women were reclassified as ACR2 with a negative test. In 2 patients, we found an invasive ductal carcinoma at 4 months control. ACR 3 mammograms are the most important operator dependent category. The diagnosis of probably benign lesion dependant of the analysis of images and requires a great experience of the radiologist and a comprehensive complementary examination. In this study, this assessment was often heavy in relation to the frequency of dense breasts itself in connection with the young age of patients. In addition, for this particular category, the need of training is important and in terms of public health cost, the management of ACR3 mammograms increases difficulties and cost of screening

[Retrospective results of breast ultrasonographically-guided cytoponctions and microbiopsies within the breast cancer screening program of L'Ariana state in Tunisia]

To report the results of breast ultrasonographically-guided fine needle aspirations and needle biopsies within the breast cancer screening program of L'Ariana state in Tunisia. Our retrospective study include 143 patients, with mammographically detected lesions, which underwent a diagnostic percutanous ultrasonographically guided procedures. 57 patients underwent a fine needle aspiration, 25 underwent a needle biopsy and 61 patients underwent both procedures. Sensitivity and specificity of fine needle aspiration are of 84, 2% and 98, 5%. We report 13, 5% of non contributive results. The needle biopsy have a sensitivity of 97, 3% and a specificity of 100% with one false negative corresponding to an atypical ductal hyperplasia at the excisional biopsy. Fine needle aspiration is a reliable method of accurately establishing a diagnosis. Needle biopsy is recommended for a preoperative lesion characterisation before adequate treatment