Breast cancer cost low ultrasound

In low and middle-income countries mammographic breast cancer screening is prohibitively expensive and a cheaper alternative option is to use ultrasound as the primary screening test. In , China launched a breast cancer screening programme for rural women aged years with clinical breast examination coupled with ultrasound as the primary tool. Our study aimed to analyse the cost-effectiveness of breast screening compared to no screening among Chinese rural women. We developed a Markov model to estimate the lifetime costs and effects for rural women aged 35 years from a societal perspective. Asymptomatic women in the intervention arm were screened every 3 years before age 64 years.

Breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make images of the breast. Ultrasound images may be called sonograms. Breast ultrasound is a non-invasive test. Learn more about breast cancer diagnosis. Image courtesy of Lange Productions.

The imaging technique can be particularly useful for women with dense breasts or those under 30 who find a suspicious lump. Here's why. Ultrasound is the imaging choice for younger women who need to have potentially problematic areas in their breasts checked out. It uses sound waves to get a picture of the inside of your breasts.

You might have this test alongside other tests, such as a breast examination and breast x-ray mammogram in a one stop clinic. You might also have a breast biopsy. This is called a triple assessment. You may also have an ultrasound scan when you have a biopsy of the breast.