Screening for breast cancer: current status, problems, prospects.

The effect on breast cancer mortality of physical screening examinations and/or mammography will only be clear when current prospective studies are complete. The National Breast Screening Study will materially advance understanding of the value of current screening techniques. Until this information is available, however, physicians should consider practicing annual physical examinations of the breast in women over age 45, provided at least five minutes is spent in such examinations, which should consist of inspection as well as palpation of the breast in both the sitting and reclining position. If mammography of the caliber available to the American Breast Cancer Detection Project Centres is available, clinicians should consider periodic screening mammographic examinations.