Method of tumor detection influences disease‐free survival of women with breast carcinoma Journal Article


Authors: Senie, R. T.; Lesser, M.; Kinne, D. W.; Rosen, P. P.
Article Title: Method of tumor detection influences disease‐free survival of women with breast carcinoma
Abstract: Background. Screening mammography provides the primary means of reducing breast cancer mortality. Clinical breast examination (CBE) and breast self‐examination (BSE) may be complementary screening modalities enabling palpation of interval cancers and detection of tumors not visualized by mammography; however, their combined contribution to improving prognosis has not been evaluated adequately. Methods. Disease‐free survival was assessed in relation to method of tumor detection among 729 consecutive patients treated by mastectomy and axillary dissection for primary breast carcinoma between 1976 and 1978. Results. Disease‐free survival at 10 years was significantly higher after detection by mammography (77% of 30 patients) or CBE (78% of 101 patients) compared to self‐detection (64%). The hazard ratio of recurrence associated with clinical examination or mammography in contrast to self‐detection was significantly reduced to 0.55 (95% CI, 0.37–0.81; P = 0.001). In addition, annual CBE, compared to less frequent clinical palpation, reduced the risk of recurrence controlling for detection modality (P = .03). In multivariate analyses, the method of detection and frequency of clinical breast examination remained statistically significant prognostic factors after controlling for number of screening mammograms, history of prior breast surgery, family history of breast cancer, and age at diagnosis. Differences in self‐examination frequency were not associated with prognosis. Conclusions. Among patients diagnosed before widespread mammography screening, tumor detection by CBE was associated with a significant reduction in recurrence compared with detection by self‐palpation. Improvement in the frequency and quality of CBE and BSE may enhance the contribution of these modalities to early detection, complementing the role of screening mammography in reducing breast cancer mortality rates. Copyright © 1994 American Cancer Society
Keywords: survival; adult; cancer survival; aged; aged, 80 and over; survival rate; major clinical study; follow-up studies; cancer diagnosis; lymphatic metastasis; lymph node excision; cohort studies; breast cancer; mastectomy; cancer screening; age factors; breast neoplasms; cancer mortality; time factors; mammography; early diagnosis; breast carcinoma; carcinoma in situ; breast examination; carcinoma; detection; physical examination; diagnostic test; regression analysis; self examination; carcinoma, lobular; middle age; breast self-examination; human; female; priority journal; article; carcinoma, infiltrating duct; clinical breast examination
Journal Title: Cancer
Volume: 73
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0008-543X
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 1994-03-15
Start Page: 1666
End Page: 1672
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19940315)73:6<1666::Aid-cncr2820730619>3.0.Co;2-e
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 8156494
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 14 January 2019 -- Article -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Paul P Rosen
    201 Rosen
  2. Ruby T. Senie
    15 Senie