Prevalence analysis of mammography examinations made in the public health system in the state of Acre, Amazon, Brazil, using BI-RADS® classification

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of mammography examinations in the public health system in the state of Acre, Amazon, Brazil, using BI-RADS® classification. Methods: Mammogram forms of women, symptomatics or not, who were submitted to the examination in the public health system in state of Acre from January 2004 to January 2008 were studied in this transverse study of institutional basis. The qui-square test was used and the standard deviation was set of 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The valid sample was of 7,982 mammography examinations (95.2%). The main categories in the mammography examinations were: BI-RADS® 1 = 41.1% and BI-RADS® 2 = 37.9%. The prevalence of categories BI-RADS® 4 and BI-RADS® 5 was higher in women from the capital (p = 0.009) and it increased according to the age of the patients, being more prevalent from the 40 years, mainly from the 50 years (p = 0.04) on. The main examination clinical indication or patient complaints which motivated its accomplishment were: routine (69.5%); pain (21.3%) and nodule (6.5%). Conclusion: The majority data found are in consonance with the literature although they need implementation strategies to increase a comprehensive approach and an effective early detection of breast cancer by the mammography screening.