The effect of mass screening by physical examination combined with regular breast self-examination on clinical stage and course of Japanese women with breast cancer.

A mass screening program for breast cancer in Japan consists of physical examination (PE) and education on regular breast self-examination (BSE). The effect of PE with BSE on clinical stages and courses of breast cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical stages and courses were compared between; i) patients who were examined in outpatient clinics (OPC, n=587), ii) patients who were detected by mass screening with regular BSE [BSE(+), n=68], and iii) without BSE [BSE(-), n=178]. Clinical stage in BSE(+) was significantly earlier than that in BSE(-) or OPC. As early stage cancer was most common in BSE(+), conservative surgery was mostly selected. Survival curve in BSE(+) was significantly better than those in BSE(-) or OPC. BSE complements the role of mass screening by PE for early detection and a more favorable clinical course.