Cancer Research Foundation of America Supports Breast Self Examination Despite Study Findings

Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
Friday, 4 October 2002

The Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA) today confirmed its recommendation that women age 20 and older practice breast self-examination (BSE) in conjunction with annual clinical breast exams and, for women 40 and older, annual mammograms. The statement is in response to recently published findings of a 10-year Chinese study that maintains breast self-examination shows little impact on decreasing the mortality rate from breast cancer, which appeared in the October issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

"Because many women discover breast cancer themselves, we are not ready to back away from breast self-exams," says CRFA President and Founder Carolyn Aldigé. "We encourage further study into new screening technologies early detection of breast cancer and ways to prevent the disease altogether. But until then, BSE teaches women to get in tune with their bodies so they can detect any changes. If women detect a change, they should talk with their health care professional about what those changes might mean."

CRFA's Web site has a step-by-step guide to teach women how to conduct breast self-exam correctly. Visitors to the Web site will learn the importance of early detection and the role BSE plays in the three-part approach to breast health (www.preventcancer.org).

"BSE is something women can do for themselves," said Aldigé. "It empowers them to take their health into their own hands - literally."

The Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA) is a national, non-profit health foundation with a single mission: the prevention and early detection of cancer through scientific research and education. Founded in 1985 by Carolyn Aldigé, the organization's commitment to cancer prevention and early detection is fueled by the fact that 70 percent of certain cancers may be preventable and many are easily treated when detected early, yet more than 550,000 Americans die from the disease annually. One of only 10 non-federal agencies whose grant review process is approved by the National Institutes of Health, CRFA strengthens the area of cancer prevention and early detection research through its grant and fellowship program. Since 1985, CRFA has provided more than $57 million in programs and research to more than 600 scientists at more than 100 leading universities and medical centers.

For more information, or to contact Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, see their website at: www.preventcancer.org