Breast cancer screening. Benefits, risks, and current controversies.

Mammography is the best tool available for screening for breast cancer. Although the data supporting clinical breast examination are not as strong, this procedure continues to be widely used in the United States. To maximize accuracy of results, women who undergo screening during their premenopausal years should attempt to schedule mammography during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. All women should be educated about the benefits and the harms of screening, including the risk of being called back for further testing.