[Interim results of a prospective randomized study of self-examination for early detection of breast cancer (Russia/St.Petersburg/WHO)].

Training in breast self-examination (BSE) technique involved 57,712 women, aged 40-64, at 14 out of randomly selected out-patient hospitals in St Petersburg (1985-1989) and there has been no significant difference in death rates in both groups for the past ten years.

Abstract

Training in breast self-examination (BSE) technique involved 57,712 women, aged 40-64, at 14 out of randomly selected out-patient hospitals in St. Petersburg (1985-1989). Another 64,759 women selected at another 14 out-patient hospitals were in control. All patients with detected tumor pathology of the breast were biopsied and treated at the Institute's Clinic. The study focused on breast cancer incidence, survival and mortality. More women in the BSE group sought medical advice for suspected pathology (4,300) than those in control (2,438; p 0.05). There has been no significant difference in death rates in both groups for the past ten years. The study is to continue until the year 2001.