My Breakthrough
Breast Self Examination
In the UK we do not promote breast self examination (BSE).
Breast self examination is a rigid self examination routine, usually taught by a heath professional and carried out at the same time each month in exactly the same way. The Department of Health, UK breast cancer charities (including Breakthrough) and other UK health bodies agree that it is not necessary to practice such a complicated procedure. Many women find it difficult and it can provoke unnecessary fear.
A review of recent studies into breast self examination by The Cochrane Collaboration published in July 2008 concluded that there is no evidence that it reduces breast cancer deaths. The review also suggested the practice may be doing more harm than good, since it led to almost twice as many biopsies that turned up no cancer in women who performed self examinations, compared to women who did not.
Some BSE techniques also advocate the use of ‘self examination aids’. However, there is no proof that such aids work and they only focus on feeling for lumps, rather than looking and feeling for other changes to the breast, skin or nipple.
However, there is agreement among the Department of Health and UK cancer charities that being breast aware is important. Breast awareness encourages women to become familiar with their own breasts, be aware of breast cancer signs and symptoms and to report anything unusual to their doctor as soon as possible.
Dr Sarah Cant, Policy Manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer says:
"Most of the 46,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year in the UK are detected by women themselves. The earlier that breast cancer is detected, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful. Better breast awareness, together with improved treatments and breast screening, have been shown to contribute to improved survival."
Also within "Breast awareness & risk factors"
