The Subsidised Mammogram Programme in Kuantan, 2003 – A report from our College of Radiology SMP Coordinator, Professor Dr Humairah Samad Cheung, in Kuantan, Pahang The Subsidised Mammogram Program organized by the College of Radiology was held in Kuantan for the first time in October 2003. It was carried out and coordinated by the staff of the Radiology Department, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). It was made possible with the kind permission of the State Director of Health in Pahang, Dato Sarah Yaacob. A special vote of thanks must be made to Dr. Iskandar Firzada Hj. Othman, the Family Physician at Community Polyclinic at Jaya Gading, who was instrumental in recruiting the women for mammography. Profile of Women Participants
A total of 105 women participated in the program. They were recruited from twelve different MOH (Ministry of Health) Polyclinics in and around Kuantan. Eighty-seven women had never had a mammogram before. Their average age was 52.6 years (range 35-70 years). Ninety-four (89.5%) women were Malays, eight were Chinese and three were Indian. Eight women had first degree relatives and another woman had an auntie with a known history of breast cancer. The Findings
Thirty eight women had supplementary breast ultrasound. The examinations were normal in the majority of women (78 women; 74.3%). Benign findings were detected in 18 (17.1%), while probably benign findings were detected in nine women (8.6%). No cancer or suspicious lesion was picked up (Figure 1 below). Amongst women with a family history of breast cancer, one had a benign finding while another had a probably benign lesion. Figure 1: Breast Imaging Findings in 105 women attending SMP 2003 | BIRADS category | Number of Women | Percentage | | 1 | 78 | 74.3 | | 2 | 18 | 17.1 | | 3 | 9 | 8.6 | | 4 | 0 | 0 | | 5 | 0 | 0 | | Total | 105 | 100 |
There was no requirement for tissue sampling based on the above findings. One patient who presented with a palpable lump was referred to the Surgical Out-Patients’ Clinic at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan for appropriate management. Women with category 2 & 3 findings will be followed up at subsequent annual mammography. (Note: The BIRADS categorization is a method of categorizing mammogram findings with 1 being normal, 2 – benign, 3 – probably benign, 4 – slightly suspicious and 5 being highly suspicious findings at mammography). Future SMP programs in Kuantan
The IIUM personnel who were involved in the program are of the opinion that the program was successful in attracting health conscious women to have a mammogram. We will welcome further opportunities to participate in future SMP programs. These programs can in the future be organized at the IIUM Breast Centre which is currently in the final stages of being set up. The Centre, which has breast imaging facilities will offer a more pleasant environment for the women participants, and they will not then need to attend a hospital for the mammograms. It is also very likely that more women can be accommodated for the next Pink October program from next year. | 
