Method of discovery of breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine how breast cancers are found according to the frequency of breast self-examination, mammography, and clinical examinations. Additionally, the means of discovery according to age, race, family history, and educational level was determined.


METHODS
The study was a retrospective, descriptive design using a nonprobability sample of 51 women diagnosed with breast cancer during 1991-1992. Anonymous questionnaires were used for data collection.


RESULTS
Overall, the most frequent method of discovery was mammogram (n = 20; 39%), followed by breast self-examination (n = 18; 35%), accidental palpation by self (n = 7; 14%), clinical examination (n = 3; 5.9%), and by accidental palpation by another person such as husband/lover (n = 3; 5.9%). Only 10 of the 51 women 40 years of age and older followed all American Cancer Society guidelines for breast cancer detection. Of these, 60% of the cancers were found by breast self-examination. Similarly, breast self-examination was the most frequent method for white women, and for women with a high school education or higher. Mammography was the most frequent means for black women, for women with less than a high school education, and for women with a negative family history of breast cancer. Of particular concern was the fact that of the 20 women having mammograms every 1 to 2 years before diagnosis, half (n = 10) had breast cancer found by palpable means.


CONCLUSIONS
All three breast cancer detection methods--breast self-examination, mammography, and clinical breast examinations--should be emphasized by health professionals given that mammography alone is not 100% accurate.
Benedict
S
S
Williams
R D
RD
Hoomani
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires