many of the largest studies to show no benefit for breast self-exam (bse) were done in countries outside the u. s. (such as shanghai china in 2002 and russia in 2003). in addition to no decrease in breast cancer deaths the largest studies showed an increased number of biopsies which found no cancer. it is difficult to know if the outcome would be the same if a woman was instructed using the newest bse technique taught to gynecologists in the u. s. the issues surrounding the clinical breast exams (cbe) done by doctors are similar. there is a large canadian study which suggested five-year survival rates were the same in women who received only cbe and those who received cbe plus screening mammogram. one of the current discussions explores the quality of cbe. there are several techniques used; and some mds do a more thorough and systemic breast exam than their colleagues.
do low-tech methods such as breast self-exam and a doctor's breast exam help detect breast cancer?