Evaluation of the Utilized Diagnostic Imaging Methods

There is no national standard protocol to diagnose breast cancer in the Gaza Strip. Mammography and Ultrasound were the most commonly used imaging methods for breast cancer diagnosis. Undoubtedly, the confirmation of diagnosis was done by biopsy. The majority of patients had been referred to imaging diagnosis within 2 weeks of seeking health care. Notably, 12.3% of patients have a diagnostic delay three months and more. Regarding the effectiveness of imaging methods, Mammography and Ultrasoundwere succeeded to diagnose 84.1 %, 93.1% respectively of the referred cases and the majority of their reports were written without using a standard classification. In addition, the study revealed that factors affecting patient delay were mainly related to unawareness about the symptoms of breast cancer. Regarding to diagnostic delay, the study showed that the diagnostic delay was affected by patient age, nonmalignant findings in either mammography or Ultrasound.The study recommends adoption of a comprehensive national program to educate and screen women, to follow up and diagnose breast cancer patients under the supervision of Ministry of Health.