[Systematic breast self-examination is not a useful screening procedure, except in hereditary or familial increased risk of breast cancer].
Population screening for breast cancer in the Netherlands in women 50-75 years ofage shows a reduction in mortality in this age group, which is the goal of screening. In a recent statement, the Dutch Cancer Society did not advise breast self-examination for women in general, because a meta-analysis had not shown a reduction in mortality, irrespective of the positive findings on self-examination in many retrospective studies. However, breast self-examination may be advised to a small group of women with familial or hereditary breast cancer, especially carriers of the BRCA1 gene mutation, in whom a high percentage of rapidly proliferating grade III carcinomas are found.
Kaas
R
R
Nederlands Kanker Instituut-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Ziekenhuis, Ples- manlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam.
Rutgers
E J Th
EJ
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors