The Invention of a Prototype Breast Self-Exam Device for Breast Mass Screening in Breast Phantom: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common causes of death from cancer in Thai women. Therefore, the early detection and screening plays a vital role for reduction in breast cancer mortality. A typical method of the screening is the Palpatory Breast-Self Examination (PBSE). However, the effectiveness of detection depend on the examiner’s proficiency and confidence to make a decision in the abnormal breast. So, the purposes of this study were to invent a Breast–Self Exam Device (BSED) for screening of breast lumps in breast phantom. We designed a device by utilizing a principle of mechanical imaging using a pressure sensor. Data from the pressure sensor were analyzed from microcontroller board and program and were shown as shades of image. To evaluate the device, the number of breast lump detecting was compared between BSED and PBSE and the validity of BSED was assessed by calculating diagnostic test and measuring the satisfaction of examiners. The results of this study revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between BSED and PBSE (p<0.05). The validity of BSED had sensitivity = 30% specificity = 46% PPV = 36% NPV = 40% accuracy = 41% under the criteria that the BSED found at least one lump. The satisfaction was evaluated as good. From this work, there remain a limitation of usability and efficiency. Further study is needed to improve and develop the device system.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• breast cancer screening
• breast-self examination
• mechanical imaging