Transforming Breast Cancer Care and Clinical Outcomes: Local Experience in Yanbu Industrial City, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to enhance outcomes for women undergoing breast cancer screening in a low utilization setting by implementing structured improvement cycles.

Methods: Improvement cycles were conducted using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology. Three cycles were implemented: (1) dedicating a specific day for breast screening and increasing appointment slots; (2) establishing a breast screening clinic with same-day registration; and (3) introducing a breast surgery clinic to expedite biopsy procedures for BI-RADS-4 category cases.

Results: Following each improvement cycle, dramatic increases in patient attendance were observed. In 2021, there was a 67.5% rise compared to the previous year, and a 72% increase in 2022 compared to 2021 figures. Patient characteristics revealed that 60% of attendees were new patients, with 53% of cancer and precancerous cases observed in women below 50 years old. Before the third cycle, the estimated diagnosis turnaround time (TAT) showed that only 23% of patients had their biopsy completed within 5 working days. However, after the third cycle (n = 131), 63.5% of biopsies were done within five working days.

Conclusion: Structured improvement cycles guided by the PDSA methodology effectively enhanced breast cancer screening outcomes. These cycles led to increased patient attendance, expedited biopsy procedures, and improved access to timely diagnosis. The findings highlight the importance of systematic approaches in optimizing breast cancer screening and improving patient care.