Enhancing mammographic screening quality: the impact of independent double reading in low- and middle-income countries
- Journal of Cancer Prevention & Current Research
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Thiago Buosi Silva,<sup>1</sup> Silvia Maria Prioli de Souza Sabino,<sup>1 </sup>Selma de Pace Bauab,<sup>2 </sup>Edmundo Carvalho Mauad,<sup>1</sup>Adhemar Longatto-Filho<sup>3-6</sup>
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Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the
impact of independent double reading in a cohort of 5,000 consecutive women who
underwent mammography.
Results:
Among the 5,000 mammograms reviewed, 68% presented no significant abnormalities.
Multivariate analysis revealed that all evaluated imaging features had odds ratios
(OR) greater than 2, with breast density (OR=8.239), microcalcifications (OR=23.481),
and focal asymmetries (OR=10.052) showing the strongest associations with discrepancies.
Conclusion:
Independent double reading is a critical component of mammography screening quality
assurance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Arbitration by a third
expert further minimizes diagnostic errors, especially in dense breast tissue and
subtle imaging findings.
Keywords
mammography, quality control, screening, guidelines, breast cancer
