title: Self-detection remains a key method of breast cancer detection for U.S. women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The method by which breast cancer is detected becomes a factor for long-term survival and should be considered in treatment plans. This report describes patient characteristics and time trends for various methods of breast cancer detection in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 2003 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a nationally representative self-report health survey, included 361 women survivors diagnosed with breast cancer between 1980 and 2003. Responses to the question, How was your breast cancer found? were categorized as accident, self-examination, physician during routine breast examination, mammogram, and other. We examined responses by income, race, age, and year of diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most women survivors (57%) reported a detection method other than mammographic examination. Women often detected breast cancers themselves, either by self-examination (25%) or by accident (18%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite increased use of screening mammography, a large percentage of breast cancers are detected by the patients themselves. Patient-noted breast abnormalities should be carefully evaluated.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington School of Medicin,eDepartment of Medicine,Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195-7138, USA. mylang@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Mara Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Joann G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Elmore
authors.forename: Joyce P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Yi-Frazier
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Reisch
authors.forename: Natalia V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Oster
authors.forename: Diana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Miglioretti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D015996:Survival Rate; D016387:Women's Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data