title: Principles in mass screening for breast cancer.
abstract: The only proven means to reduce mortality from breast cancer is detection of the disease when it is still localized to the breast. Such a cancer is usually without signs or symptoms and often not even palpable and can be detected only through mass screening. The H.I.P. study has demonstrated a 30% reduction in mortality in a randomized study group compared to a matched control. The reduction has persisted over 14 years of follow up. Questions of potential hazard from x-ray radiation, questionable significant benefit in women under 50 years, cost and motivation are discussed.
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening; D008722:Methods; D009042:Motivation; D011314:Preventive Health Services