BMJ 2003;326:1-2 ( 4 January )

Editorials

Breast self examination

Does not prevent deaths due to breast cancer, but breast awareness is still important

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

A large well conducted randomised controlled trial from Shanghai shows conclusively that teaching women how to examine their breasts does not lead to a reduction in mortality due to breast cancer compared with no screening at all.¹ The findings should bring to an end more than decade of controversy and confusion in the United Kingdom concerning the efficacy and effectiveness of self examination of the breast.

In September 1991, in his retirement speech, Chief Medical Officer Sir Donald Acheson announced that breast self examination was not effective and may give a false sense of security. His remarks outraged women's health campaigners, fuelled by a media frenzy in favour of breast self examination that lasted several weeks. The introduction of a policy of breast awareness shortly afterwards only added to the confusion. Rather than ritually checking their breasts at a specific time each month according to a set technique, women were encouraged . . . [Full text of this article]

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Relevant Article

Breast self examination

Richard J Epstein and Rosetta Manasciewicz
BMJ 2003 326: 710. [Extract] [Full Text]

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Not all women need breast self examination.

Sergio Stagnaro
bmj.com, 4 Jan 2003 [Full text]

Breast examination has clinical usefulness

Arnold Seglenieks
bmj.com, 4 Jan 2003 [Full text]

What about mammography programmes?

Niall A Herity
bmj.com, 4 Jan 2003 [Full text]

To BSE or not to BSE: The woman's perspective

Rosetta Manaszewicz
bmj.com, 6 Jan 2003 [Full text]

Reports of BSE's death are greatly exaggerated

Richard J. Epstein
bmj.com, 22 Jan 2003 [Full text]

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