Established Methods for Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Tripoli, Libya

Abstract

Background and aim. Globally, breast cancer is one of the most frequent cancers among women. Methods for screening and diagnosis allow healthcare professionals to detect it early and provide personalized treatments that improve the outcomes and survival. It has been showed that various im-aging techniques such as mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron-emission to-mography (PET), Computed tomography (CT), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) could be used for diagnosis and monitoring patients with breast cancer in various stages. Methods. Seventy cases were diagnosed with breast cancer and were attending Breast Clinic at Tripoli University Hospital, Tripoli, Libya. The study revealed the most common tools used in Tripoli to di-agnose breast cancer, stage of cancer and risk factors. Results. Most patients were within the age group ranged between 46 to 60 years (40%) and most cases with martial state married (77.1%). The first detection was at stage 2 in 37.1%. The most common risk factor was family history of breast cancer by 42.9% and unknown causes was 28.6%. Physical examination is the primary method for early breast cancer detection (92.9%), followed by ultrasound (60%) and mammogram (58.6%) while biopsy is the fourth tool by 35.7% and the fifth tool was MRI by 42.9%. Conclusion. The physical examination is the best diagnostic tool for early detection of breast cancer; however, have to also focus on other techniques with more sensitivity and specificity.