Organization of a Breast Tumour Clinic and Aspects of Data Analysis of a Clinical Material

Abstract

With the aim of making it easier for patients with tumours or suspected tumours of the breast to obtain adequate medical advice and treatment, a special breast tumour clinic was established at the Department of Surgery of the University Hospital in Uppsala for women resident in the county of Uppsala. The waiting time was less than one week. In addition to palpation, fine-needle biopsy with cytological examination, mammography and xeroradiography were performed. Close co-operation between a few doctors responsible for the various diagnostic units made it possible to give the patients quick service and contributed to an efficient use of the diagnostic resources. The clinic functioned mainly within the framework of the existing medical care facilities and did not act as a screening project. Over a period of 15 months, 1244 women were examined. 116 had breast cancer, and 5 of these tumours were occult. A comparatively low mean tumour size and a low frequency of lymph node metastases would seem to indicate that the patients came under medical care at a relatively early stage. For recording of the case histories and examination findings, special medical records permitting data processing were used. This has facilitated follow-up of the patients, special checks on certain patient groups, statistical analyses and prospective investigations. We consider that, for the patient, a clinic of this kind offers considerable psychological and financial benefits, and that for the health service as a whole it means increased efficiency and a lower cost per patient. It seems probable that both the patient's and the doctor's delay are reduced.