Many women visit their general practitioner with a breast complaint, such as a lump. In the hospital, the first test is usually a mammogram (digital breast tomosynthesis), often followed by an ultrasound. Mammography can be painful and cause physical discomfort. For this reason, interest is growing in a different approach: starting with an ultrasound and performing a mammogram only when the ultrasound does not provide a clear answer. This thesis explores how patients and healthcare professionals view such a potential change in the diagnostic pathway. Many women experience ultrasound as less burdensome and appreciate the direct contact with the radiologist during the examination. At the same time, mammography provides some women with additional reassurance because both breasts are examined. General practitioners, radiologists and radiographers also see opportunities for a larger role of ultrasound, but emphasize the need for clear guidelines, good logistics, collaboration between healthcare professionals and clear communication with patients. These findings suggest that ultrasound could more often be used as the first test, although careful consideration and further research remains necessary.
Carmen Cassandra Nimue Siebers (1997) studied Psychology at Radboud University (2015-2018). In 2020, she started her PhD at Radboudumc on patient and healthcare professional perspectives on ultrasound as first-line modality for breast complaints. During her PhD, she completed two master’s programmes: Care Ethics and Policy and Medical Psychology. She currently works as a psychologist in a chronic pain rehabilitation centre.