Breast self-examination (BSE) |
Recommended |
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); American Medical Association (AMA); National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) |
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The AMA encourages physicians to educate their patients in the process of breast cancer detection, emphasizing the technique of self-examination of their breasts. |
American Medical Association (AMA) Policies on Breast Cancer |
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Optional for women starting in their 20s |
American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer |
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Insufficient evidence |
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP); National Cancer Institute (NCI) |
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Not recommended: The USPSTF recommends against teaching BSE. There is moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits. |
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) |
Clinical breast examination (CBE) |
Recommended every three years for women in their 20s and 30s |
American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer |
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Recommended annually for women age 40+ |
ACOG, NCCN, ACS |
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Insufficient evidence: No USPSTF recommendation for women <40; however the USPSTF concludes that evidence is lacking and the balance of harms and benefits cannot be determined for CBE as a supplement to mammography in older women. |
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force |
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Not recommended for women of any age |
World Health Organization |