EARLY DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER IN EGYPTIAN LADIES

Abstract

Egyptian females proved to have more advanced locoregional disease. This can be explained by prolonged delay in diagnosis and I or treatment. Egyptian females tend to be obese, with large breasts in which small lesions are usually difficult to be detected clinically. Breast cancers in those women account for a high percentage of cancer deaths. These are, therefore, an important public health problem. - Early detection and screening programmes must therefore be considered "the best choice" for reducing morbidity and mortality. This early detection could be achieved by different modalities as breast self­ examination, clinical breast examination, mammography, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. These modalities must be used as efficiently as possible, avoiding loss of time and accumulation of useless examinations, as this pathology is becoming a socio-economic problem. - To achieve a high rate of success in early detection of breast cancer, the target population should be precisely defined, and generalized invitation of the selected population avoids bias of voluntary consultations. The media, ne spapers and advertisments must be used to assure an effective participation rate of the population. The rate of participation depends mainly on the women's age, the place of residence, the socio-economic status and modalities of screening.