Breast Self-Examination and Breast Cancer Mortality
Author Information
Author(s): R. Ellman, S.M. Moss, D. Coleman, J. Chamberlain
Primary Institution: Institute of Cancer Research, Section of Epidemiology
Hypothesis
Does education in breast self-examination (BSE) reduce breast cancer mortality?
Conclusion
The study found no overall reduction in breast cancer mortality due to BSE education, although some differences were noted between the two centers involved.
Supporting Evidence
- Attendance at BSE classes was lower in Huddersfield than in Nottingham.
- Mortality rates were similar in both BSE centers compared to the combined comparison centers.
- Benign biopsy rates were higher in Huddersfield than in Nottingham.
Takeaway
Teaching women how to check their breasts for lumps didn't really help lower the number of deaths from breast cancer.
Methodology
Women aged 45 to 64 were recruited to attend BSE classes, and their breast cancer mortality was monitored over ten years.
Potential Biases
Differences in treatment practices and attendance rates between centers may have influenced the results.
Limitations
The study was not a randomized controlled trial and lacked a uniform treatment protocol, which may have introduced biases.
Participant Demographics
Women aged 45 to 64 from two health districts in the UK.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
0.64-0.99 for Huddersfield, 1.06-1.43 for Nottingham
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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