THE PROBLEM
WHAT IS FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION?
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) biopsy is an affordable, rapid and minimally invasive procedure for diagnosing breast cancer
Cancer (e.g. thyroid, breast, lymph node)
Infectious diseases (e.g. TB, HIV)
Non-cancerous masses (e.g. cysts, fibroadenomas)
HOW DOES FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION WORK?
1.
Doctor locates lump by feel or ultrasound
Fine-gauge needle used to extract sample
2.
Pathologist analyzes fluid sample
3.
Illustration by Ellen Lindner for Verywell Health
11-69.3%
FALSE NEGATIVE RATE OF FNA
​United States, South Africa, Uganda, Philippines
10-62.6%
INCONCLUSIVE RATE OF FNA
United States, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Philippines, Brazil​​​
ACCESS TO FNA IS LIMITED FOR PATIENTS LIVING IN RURAL REGIONS
In many countries, FNA is often only performed in a few urban hospitals due to a shortage of trained personnel and specialized equipment in peripheral settings. This limits access to diagnosis and care for individuals living in rural regions
Nearly 50% of patients
with false-negative FNA results do not return for follow-up
Over $2 million incurred over 5 years
due to repeating FNAs for nondiagnostic specimens
Greater than 50%
of people live in rural areas where access to FNA is limited
10% increased
risk of death
every 30 days of
delayed cancer treatment