Efficiency Assessment of Breast Clinics for Patients Under 35: A Comparative Analysis of Targeted Models in a University Hospital.

Despite the higher incidence of breast cancer in older age groups, it remains pertinent not to overlook breast cancer occurrence in those aged 35 years and below. Recent transitions toward targeted under-35 clinics in England aim to enhance efficiency and meet referral standards. Three models were planned, and we assessed the efficiency of each model. This study, conducted for five months within a single National Health Service (NHS) trust, analyzed data from the following clinics: the General One-Stop Clinic, the Under 35 One-Stop Clinic with ultrasound services (USS), and the Under 35 Clinic without USS services. Of the 300 patients recruited (100 consecutive patients from each clinic), 94.3% were female. The average age at presentation was 27.53 years. The most frequently encountered age group was between 26 and 30 years, and the majority of patients had palpable lumps (78, 51.6%). Out of 300 patients who attended the clinics, 151 had USS, and of these, 15 biopsies were performed. Fibroadenomas (32, 21.2%) and cysts (22, 14.6%) were the most common radiological findings. We found that more breast imaging was being undertaken for under-35 patients who attended the general one-stop clinics compared to the specific under-35 clinics. Targeted breast clinics for individuals 35 years and below offer an effective approach in terms of resource allocation and meeting cancer targets.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
(Copyright © 2024, Fagbemi et al.)