Breast Cancer Screening by Palpation and Mammography

Simultaneous or Consecutive Examination?

Abstract

Two systems of mammographic screening for breast cancer are performed in Tokushima Prefecture. Under one system each woman undergoes a physical examination and mammography simultaneously (simultaneous examinations), whereas under the other system each woman undergoes a physical examination and mammography separately on the same day (consecutive examinations).
Between 1991 and 1998 6, 991 women underwent the simultaneous examinations and 4, 156 underwent the consecutive examinations. The recall rates were 7.9% and 9.3%, respectively. These data suggest that simultaneous physical examination + mammography is a suitable screening procedure.