BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION PROGRAMS IN THE TRIAL OF EARLY DETECTION OF BREAST-CANCER - 10-YEAR FINDINGS

Programmes of education in breast self-examination with specialist cli nics for self-referral were introduced in two health districts around 1980. Combining the results from the two centres showed no reduction i n mortality from breast cancer over the following 10 years but the mor tality was low in one of the centres whilst in the other it was higher than in four geographically separate comparison centres in which ther e was similar careful monitoring of breast cancer incidence and mortal ity. Because this was not a randomised controlled trial and lacked a u niform treatment protocol, biases may be responsible for the differenc es observed, but it is also possible that BSE education with annual re inforcement contributed to the breast cancer mortality reduction seen in one district. The overall conclusion however is that the value of b reast self-examination remains unproven.