Knowledge related to breast cancer screening programs by physicians in Brazil.

Abstract

Background: Antonini et al. evaluated gynecologists', obstetricians', and family and community physicians knowledge of breast cancer screening and their adherence to recommendations defined by the BI-RADS™ system. The study demonstrated that inadequate training resulted in insufficient screening and failure to follow the protocols recommended by the BIRADS™ system.

Background: ■ Variability in screening protocols: only 42.8% of gynecologists and obstetricians follow the 40-74 years protocol, while 76.6% of family physicians follow the 50-69 years protocol.

Background: ■ High rate of incorrect BIRADS. interpretation: there were 46.3% incorrect responses among gynecologists and obstetricians and 77.9% among family physicians, highlighting significant knowledge gaps.

Background: ■ Misconception about breast ultrasound: 39.1% of gynecologists and obstetricians and 20.3% of family physicians incorrectly consider ultrasound as a screening method.

Background: ■ Impact of inadequate training: inadequate training leads to improper screening practices that do not align with the BIRADS. recommended guidelines.

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and practices of gynecologists, obstetricians, and family and community physicians in Brazil regarding breast cancer screening, mammographic findings defined by the BIRADS™ system, and their approach to suspected clinical lesions.

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted using an online research questionnaire distributed via email to 9,000 gynecologists and obstetricians and 5,600 family and community and preventive medicine doctors actively practicing in Brazil.

Results: Among gynecologists and obstetricians, 42.8% follow the 40-74 years screening, 33.5% follow the 50-69 years screening, and 23.6% do not follow any specific protocol. Among the family and community physicians, 76.6% follow the 50-69 years screening protocol, and 23.4% do not follow any specific protocol. When we evaluated the responses regarding the behaviors of each BIRADS™ classification, 46.3% of responses were wrong among gynecologists and obstetricians, and 77.9% were wrong among community and preventive medicine doctors, exhibiting a significant difference. The role of breast ultrasound in screening was evaluated; 39.1% of gynecologists and obstetricians and 20.3% of community and preventive medicine doctors consider it as a screening method. Among gynecologists and obstetricians who do not follow any screening protocol, 94.7% consider ultrasound as a screening method. Among community and preventive medicine doctors, only 26.5% of physicians who follow the 50-69 years screening method consider it as a screening method.

Conclusion: Inadequate training results in gynecologists and obstetricians, and family and community physicians performing inadequate screening and not following the recommended practices outlined in the BIRADS™ system.