Targeted diagnostics of breast cancer based on a comprehensive analysis of risk factors

Abstract

Research objective was to improve the quality and efficiency of diagnostic measures for breast cancer through a personalized approach to patients based on an analysis of a set of risk factors. The methodology was developed using the data from the population-based Cancer Registry of the Altai Territory, created at the Altai Regional Oncology Center in Barnaul, Russia. At the moment the Cancer Registry included information on 308,550 patients with malignant neoplasms, including 31,783 women with breast cancer. On the basis of the method of breast cancer risk assessment proposed by Lazarev A.F. (patent number: RU 2651131 C1) an automated program for early diagnosis of breast cancer has been developed (state registration certificate for computer program No. 2019661203). The program significantly reduces the time for risk assessment and allows to form groups of high breast cancer risk, increases the efficiency of breast cancer diagnostics, and serves as a basis for development of set of targeted preventive measures specific for each patient. Testing of this technique included assessment of 512 patients, which resulted in forming of a high-risk precancer group of patients having individual risk of developing breast cancer either increased or high or absolute. 92 patients were determined to belong to the high risk pre-cancer group. The patients had a complex of in-depth examinations (including ultrasound, mammography, MRI with dynamic contrast and breast biopsy if indicated). 7 of 92 patients (7.6%) were diagnosed with breast cancer, all at early stages (I or II). It allows to suggest implementation of the method with the aim to assign in-depth examination in more targeted manner to patients at high risk of breast cancer and to contribute to detection the cancer in the early stages.