Breast self examination may do more harm than goodBMJ 2001; 323 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7303.11/b (Published 07 July 2001) Cite this as: BMJ 2001;323:11
- David Spurgeon
Physicians should no longer routinely teach women aged 40-69 breast self examination as a screening technique for cancer because it can do more harm than good, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care has announced. The task force counsels healthcare providers on effective screening methods.
In a systematic analysis of 34 years of published studies of breast self examination, the Canadian task force concluded that there was evidence that the technique had no benefits and good evidence that harm is done (Canadian Medical Association Journal 2001;164:1837-46).