[Prevention, females and physicians: the example of self-examination of the breast].

A population survey devoted to the self examination of breast (SEB) in the Canton Vaud provided some insights regarding the attitude of women toward prevention and medicine. Unpublished data related to this survey are presented, regarding the embarassment experienced by the patients, the attitude toward prevention and SEB. The specific role of SEB is commented as a tool for secondary prevention and as an autonomous attitude of the patient. A comparison is done with the prevention of the cancer of testis and the peculiar place of the female body in medicine is emphasized. The conclusion stresses the importance of subjective attitude of patients, physicians or researchers in areas related to sexuality.