National Cancer Institute Breast Research Articles

Screening mammography: a missed clinical opportunity? Results of the NCI Breast Cancer Screening Consortium and National Health Interview Survey Studies

Data from seven studies sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) were used to determine current rates of breast cancer screening and to identify the characteristics of and reasons for women not being screened. All seven studies were population-based surveys of women aged 50 to 74 years without breast cancer. While over 90% of non-Hispanic white respondents had regular sources of medical care, 46% to 76% had had a clinical breast examination within the previous year, and only 25% to 41% had had a mammogram. Less educated and poorer women had had fewer mammograms. The two most common reasons women gave for never having had a mammogram were that they did not know they needed it and that their physician had not recommended it. Many physicians may have overlooked the opportunity to recommend mammography for older women when performing a clinical breast examination and to educate their patients about the benefit of screening mammography.

A cancer education and prevention center. A community program.

The Cancer Education and Prevention Center at Samuel Merritt Hospital in Oakland, CA is one of the 27 American Cancer Society (ACS)-National Cancer Institute (NCI) breast cancer demonstration projects. In 1980 it was converted to a General Cancer Screening Clinic for men and women. Its goal is to not only detect cancer, but to teach patients about the most current methods of self-examination and surveillance. In addition, there is a thorough assessment of each patient's risk factors for cancer, and attempts are made to assist them in altering life styles and habits by reducing potential for future cancer. Many community physicians perceived the hospital-based Screening Center as a potential duplication of medical services to their private patients. Several methods were used to solve this and other problems. Many innovative projects at the Center were used to promote both professional education and training to physicians and other health professionals, as well as public education for the community. Five thousand nine hundred thirty-four patients have been screened. There were 175 presentations to the community and 508 Clinic classes with 76 training sessions at the Center. A hospital-based Cancer Education and Prevention Center of this type can offer a service to the community and be a rich source of in-depth education for both professionals and for the public.

Indications and guidelines for mammographic examinations

The value of mammography in evaluating the asymptomatic patient has been clearly demonstrated by the HIP program, as well as the National Cancer Institute's breast demonstration projects. A onethird reduction in mortality from breast cancer in mammographically screened women has been substantiated. Nonetheless, questions concerning the long-term effects of repeated radiation exposure associated with mammography have been raised, and for this reason judicious selection of women is urged. In general, women who are asymptomatic or at high risk for breast carcinoma should be evaluated with a planned regimen. Mammographic guidelines and recommendations for attaining the greatest benefit at the lowest possible risk are suggested.

Medical News

<h3>NCI seminar report stresses alternatives to radical mastectomy</h3> It was one of medicine's major coincidences. The President's wife was admitted to the National Naval Medical Center for treatment of suspected carcinoma of the breast. During a threehour operation, the right breast of Mrs. Betty Ford was biopsied, then removed—an event that "put" breast cancer on front pages throughout the nation and caused thousands of women to seek out screening centers. The surgery selected was a radical mastectomy. Just across the street, two days later, the data began rolling out of one of the largest cancer seminars ever held at the National Institutes of Health. Associate editor Larry Boston reports on the seminar forMedical News: Termed a "report to the profession" from the National Cancer Institute's Breast Cancer Task Force, the seminar was a summing-up of what has been learned in several major screening and research projects of NCI

National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Task Force.

CancerVolume 21, Issue 4 p. 787-787 ArticleFree Access National cancer institute breast cancer task force Mortimer B. Lipsett MD, Mortimer B. Lipsett MD ChairmanSearch for more papers by this author Mortimer B. Lipsett MD, Mortimer B. Lipsett MD ChairmanSearch for more papers by this author First published: April 1968 https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(196804)21:4<787::AID-CNCR2820210432>3.0.CO;2-8AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume21, Issue4April 1968Pages 787-787 RelatedInformation