Harper, 1 Browne wrote that "ethnically specific messages and systems should be designed to increase use of existing interventions (e.g., early detection and treatment of breast carcinoma), as well as to increase adoption of healthy behaviors and participation in clinical trials." However, Browne did not explain the importance of selfexamination for "early detection." According to some authors, early detection means a mamography and physical examination performed by a trained health professional. 2 In fact, early detection includes breast self-examination, physical examination by health care providers, and mammography. [3][4][5] The optimum time for the detection of breast carcinoma is before the lesion is palpable by a woman or her health care provider, and mamography is currently the only means of detecting nonpalpable breast carcinoma. 3 To my knowledge, no prospective randomized study has reported the benefits of self-examination of breast by the individual. Browne did not address this issue, either. On the other hand, Kern and Mikkelsen have reported the discovery by self-examination of 14 small tumors of 57 breast carcinomas.