Adequacies and inadequacies of breast examinations by physicians

Abstract

T of clinical examination of the breast is to be discussed within the context of experience gained in a breast cancer screening research project. The study was originally stimulated by the need to evaluate x-ray mammography as a screening method for the detection of breast cancer, and to determine whether the application of this procedure would effect a reduction in mortality from this disease. However, when the study protocol was being prepared, it was recognized that some cancers may be detected clinically and missed in mammography. Therefore, a clinical examination was included, and the objective of the research was defined in terms of an evaluation in which both modalities, clinical and radio-