Purposes and goals of breast self-examination.

The role of breast self-examination (BSE) as a means of detecting early breast cancer is reviewed along with some relatively unknown historical facts relating to the technique. The breast is a most readily accessible site for early detection which accounts for the fact that more than 90% of breast cancer is found by American women themselves rather than at the time of clinical examination or in special cancer detection centers. The technique of BSE is briefly described as well as survey results of evaluation done in Canada, England and the United States. Recent clinical trials reporting on the potential value of routine BSE are presented.