Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version

Overview

Note: Separate PDQ summaries on Breast Cancer Prevention, Breast Cancer Treatment (Adult), Male Breast Cancer Treatment, and Breast Cancer Treatment During Pregnancy are also available.

Mammography is the most widely used screening modality for the detection of breast cancer. There is evidence that it decreases breast cancer mortality in women aged 50 to 69 years and that it is associated with harms, including the detection of clinically insignificant cancers that pose no threat to life (overdiagnosis). The benefit of mammography for women aged 40 to 49 years is uncertain.[1,2] There are randomized trials in India, Iran, and Egypt that have studied the use of clinical breast examination (CBE) as a screening test. Some of these studies have suggested a shift in late-stage disease; however, there is still insufficient evidence to conclude a mortality benefit.[3-8] Breast self-exam has been shown to have no mortality benefit. No results have been published on the outcomes of incidence or mortality for CBE.

Technologies such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and molecular breast imaging are being evaluated, usually as adjuncts to mammography, and are not primary screening tools in the average population.

Informed medical decision making is increasingly recommended for individuals who are considering cancer screening. Many different types and formats of decision aids have been studied. (Refer to the PDQ summary on Cancer Screening Overview for more information.)