BACKGROUND: Educating physicians on the proper utilization of mammography is vital to effective implementation of the breast cancer control program.
OBJECTIVE: The general objective of this study was to determine the patterns of mammogram utilization and clinical profile of patients who underwent mammography at Cebu (Velez) General Hospital from January 1997 to February 2001.
METHODS: Checklists embodying important breast health information, clinical data (age, sex, address, menstrual and obstetrical history, personal and family history of breast cancer, presenting breast signs and symptoms), referring physicians, and mammography reports over the last four years were reviewed.
RESULTS: There were 468 mammograms done of which 279 (60 percent) were for diagnostics purposes and 189 (40 percent) for screening. The highest number of women who underwent screening mammography belonged to the 50-59 year age group. Gynecologists were the most frequent referring physicians for mammographic examination at 186 (40 percent) followed by 134 (29 percent) referrals from the general surgeons. There was an increasing trend of mammogram utilization noted over the past four years. Palpable mass in 172 (53 percent) patients was followed by mastodynia in 104 (33 percent) patients accounting for the most common indications for diagnostic mammography. Three hundred seventy-three (80 percent) mammogram results were negative and only 23 (5 percent) showed suspicious abnormalities warranting biopsy. Three hundred twenty-five (69.4 percent) of the mammograms showed extremely dense breasts which lowered sensitivity. There was a trend towards decreasing Grade IV radiographic density of the breast as the patients were older. Proper mammogram utilization at Cebu Velez General Hospital has increased over the last 4 years.