Breast-Light Device as an Adjuvant for Clinical Breast Examination in Breast Examination Clinic /Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital-Baghdad

Abstract

Background: The low survival rates of Breast cancer in less developed countries -like Iraq- are mainly attributed to lack of awareness programs, resulting in a high proportion of women presenting in late-stages, in addition to the limited capacity for early diagnosis and effective multimodality treatment.Objectives: To compare outcome of clinical breast examination with breast light device use.Patients and Methods: This descriptive hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted on a sample of 305 women attending breast examination clinic in al-Yarmouk teaching hospital-Baghdad, from 1st January to 30th July 2015. Study tools included “The Breast light” which is a handheld device that trans- illuminates breast with a red light that is absorbed by hemoglobin yielding dark shadows in areas of high vascularity (including malignancy). Breast-light device was used for breast examination, together with clinical breast examination.Results: The study showed moderate agreement in detection of breast abnormalities between clinical breast examination and Breast light examination (kappa 43%). Neither breast mass size, nor its location showed significant differences when comparing the results of the two methods. Moreover, Mastalgia appeared to be the most frequent presentation in the examined women. Conclusion: Detecting ability of breast abnormalities could be raised, when integrating clinical breast examination with breast light. In addition, breast light could be a valuable aid for family doctors at primary health care level, as it’s easy to use, portable and not invasive.Key words: Breast light, Clinical Breast exam, Breast examination clinic