A Comparative Study of Mammography and Ultrasound for Breast Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis

A Comparative Study of Mammography and Ultrasound for Breast Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis

Improving the early diagnosis of breast cancer can reduce mortality. With mammography as the main tool for screening early breast cancer, the characteristics of dense breast and young onset of disease in Chinese women lowers the efficiency. The aim of this prospective study was to compare which method, x-ray or ultrasound, is more appropriate for screening and early diagnosis of breast cancer in Chinese women.

Breast cancer has become the most common malignancy in women. Improving the early diagnosis of breast cancer can reduce mortality. Mammography is recommended as the main tool for screening and early diagnosis of breast cancer in the guidelines of European and American countries. However, the characteristics of dense breast and young onset of disease in Chinese women make the screening and early diagnosis strategies of Western countries, which are mainly based on mammography, unsuitable for Chinese women. The aim of this prospective study was to compare which method, x-ray or ultrasound, is more appropriate for screening and early diagnosis of breast cancer in Chinese women.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Informed consent, subjects 35-70 years old, asymptomatic, able to undergo ultrasound and x-ray

Exclusion Criteria:

• Localized breast erythema and ulceration, pregnancy, lactation, after previous breast implantation, already pathologically definite breast cancer patients