Implementation of breast cancer screening.
Mammography, breast physical examination, and breast self-examination are recommended for breast cancer screening. Although in randomized trials of screening, mammography demonstrated a reduction in breast cancer mortality for women over 50, such data are not available for breast physical or self-examination. The Canadian National Breast Screening Study should provide data regarding the efficacy of breast physical examination alone. The World Health Organization has established trials to evaluate self-examination in the USSR and Germany. There is still controversy regarding routine mammographic screening and the optimal screening interval for women under age 50. The costs of mammographic screening remain a concern, but these costs can be lessened considerably through efficiency of mammographic services and a reduction in the number of false-positive interpretations that prompt biopsy. Primary care physicians can help to reduce breast cancer mortality by referring their patients for screening mammography and by performing breast physical examinations.
Pisano
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University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
McLelland
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D001940:Breast; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening; D010808:Physical Examination; D016353:Self-Examination