The College of Radiology Mammogram Programme (CMP) Report – Mar 2011
Compiled by Dr Evelyn Ho
 Since the last mid-year report for the CMP2010, there have been another 806 women who have benefitted from the CMP. This brings to date, a total of 7570 participants since the inception of the CMP in 2001. This was made possible by donations from the Estee Lauder Group of Companies Malaysia. Money was used to pay for the mammograms with adjunct ultrasounds, subsidising either 75% or the full cost for those who were really poor and could not even come up with RM30. For those participants from in and around Segamat, their return transport costs to IIUM Breast Centre, Kuantan was also funded by the CMP. In addition, the image guided biopsies and fine needle aspiration costs were also fully subsidised. Our two accredited centres were Puteri Specialist Hospital, Johor Bahru, and IIUM Breast Centre, Kuantan.
During the period from August 2010 to March 2011, participants of the programme were mainly from Pahang (75.4%) and Johor (22.5%). There were a few participants from Terengganu (2%) and 1 from Negeri Sembilan. Chinese made up 74.7%, Malays 20.8% and Indians 4.5% of those that accessed the CMP. It was the first time experiencing a mammogram for half of these ladies. Adjunct ultrasound was needed in 38.8% of those accessing the mammograms. The age range of the participants was from 40 to 76 years old. The mean age was 56 years whilst only 14.3% had a positive family history.
The majority of the mammograms were normal or had benign findings. These made up 92%of the findings. 5% were probably benign. 2% had slightly suspicious and only about 1% had highly suspicious findings.
Although some of the ladies would have some signs or symptoms, the majority were screening examinations for early detection of non-palpable breast cancer. About 1.24% of the 806 were proven with biopsies (Histopathology) to be breast cancer. There were 4 invasive carcinomas, and 6 invasive ductal carcinomas. One of them had on fine needle aspiration biopsy with probable breast cancer requiring a repeat biopsy or excision biopsy whilst 1 lady refused biopsy and treatment. Whilst counselling and explanation as well as recommendations are made, it is also up to the participant to consent to further evaluation.
There were some benign findings on tissue sampling. These included chronic mastitis (inflammation) and fibrotic scar. For further evaluation, some participants also preferred to be referred to the Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, the government hospital in Kuantan.
The Breast Cancer Support Group Johor Bahru, and Segamat Breast Cancer Support Society were integral in the recruitment of eligible participants for the programme. Special thanks also to Puteri Specialist Hospital Imaging Department and IIUM Breast Centre teams for being the College of Radiology partners in this programme.
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