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Comparative study of mammography and mammary serum antigen estimation for breast cancer screening
Author(s) -
Ward Bruce G,
Joy Gloria J,
Ramm Louise E,
McGuckin Michael A,
Baker Christine A
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1992.tb137077.x
Subject(s) - mammography , medicine , breast cancer , cancer , oncology , gynecology , mammography screening , breast cancer screening , obstetrics
Objective To compare mammary serum antigen (MSA) levels with mammography as a screening test for breast cancer. To determine the value of MSA testing to decrease the need for women to undergo mammography. Design A blind prospective comparison of MSA levels and mammography to detect breast cancer. Setting Royal Women's Hospital Breast Cancer Screening Clinic. Women were mainly self‐referred. Results MSA levels had a wide range in normal women and women with mammography‐detected breast cancer. Mean MSA levels in women with breast cancer reflected tumour volume, but a wide range was again seen. At 60% specificity, the sensitivity of an elevated MSA level for breast cancer was 63% for invasive cancer and Zero for in‐situ disease. MSA levels were modestly but significantly elevated in smokers over non‐smokers. Conclusion The MSA level is an insufficiently sensitive or specific marker to have role in screening for breast cancer.