Detection of breast cancer by periodic utilization of methods of physical diagnosis

✍ Scribed by Victor A. Gilbertsen; Marcus Kjelsberg

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1971
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 235 KB
• Volume: 28
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0008-543X
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(197112)28:6<1552::aid-cncr2820280631>3.0.co;2-7

✦ Synopsis

TUDIES RELATED TO T H E EARLIER DETECTION S of breast cancer were begun more than 20 years ago at the Cancer Detection Center at the University of Minnesota. Long-term follow-up data presently becoming available permit what appears to be a valid assessment of the results of the study. Survival rates for patients who have participated in a program oE annual physician exaniiiiations, supplemented by breast self-examinations during the intervals, have been remarkably good antl even more favorable than had been earlier anticipated.'

T h e Cancer Detection Center study group includes 8,345 women, 45 years of age or older. who indicated freedom from symptom of cancer or other serious disease upon entry into the program, and who have undergone 46,150 annual examinations at the Center. Neither biopsy nor definitive treatment is done at the Center, and each participant in the program agrees to visit her own private physician following each annual examination for any further studies or therapy which might be indicated. Each endeavors to return to the Center annually as long as it is feasible. Efforts are made for instruction regarding breast self-examination, and patients are advised to see their own physicians promptly in the event that a "suspicious" abnormality is found, without waiting for the next examination at the Center.

Since the beginning of the study in 1918, 10-1 subsequently confirmed breast cancers have been diagnosed in Cancer Detection Center participants. Most (60%) were detected at annual examinations at the Center. T h e