Diagnostic evaluation of computed radiography (CR) was performed in 119 cases of mammary cancer, using the following three different image-processing patterns : 1) the xero-pattern, in which high-frequency components were emphasized and xero-radiogram-like images were obtained, 2) the conventional pattern, in which high-frequency components were attenuated and conventional radiogram-like images were obtained, and 3) the intermediate pattern, in which images intermediate between 1) and 2) were obtained. In performing CR mammography using these three patterns in the same patients, the incidences of detection of tumors, calcifications, spiculae and trabecular abnormalities were examined and compared. With regard to tumor detection, the xero-pattern was found to be useful for clarifying the tumor border due to the edge effect, although the tumor diameter was reduced by 7.1% on average as compared with that examined by the conventional pattern. Such reduction was more marked in smaller tumors. As for detection of calcifications, higher incidences were obtained when patterns, emphasizing the edge effect were used. By contrast, for detection of spiculae and trabecular abnormalities, the incidences were lower when patterns, emphasizing the edge effect were used. Exceptionally, the incidence of detecting spiculae in cases of scirrhous carcinoma was the same for all three image -processing patterns. In conclusion, CR mammograhy using the conventional pattern seems the most appropriate method for mammary cancer mass-screening.

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Mass screening for thyroid disease simultaneous with breast cancer was started in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1985. A total of 146 cases of breast cancer and 56 cases of thyroid cancer were detected by the mass screening program, the detection rates being 0.05% and 0.02%, respectively.
From 1965 to the end of 1991, 32 (6.3%) cases of breast cancer associated with thyroid disease were found among 506 cases of primary female breast cancer in our department. Of these, 10 patients had thyroid cancer and/or hyperthyroidism, respectively.
The group of patients with both breast cancer and thyroid disease showed a rather early disease stage. Therefore, the cumulative five-year survival rate for patients with breast cancer and thyroid disease was higher than that of patients with breast cancer alone. Although no relationship between thyroid hormones and risk of breast cancer has been demonstrated, the significance of mass screening for thyroid disease combined with that for breast cancer for indicating any cause and effect is clinically indicated, especially for detection of early breast cancer.

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Thermography is one of several modalities for detecting breast cancer. Thermography seems to be one of the best screening modalities available because of its low incidence of false negativity. On the other hand, there are many false-positive cases, some of which are diagnosed as breast cancer only by thermography.
We examined 123 cases that were false positive by thermography at the first examination. In nine of them, breast cancer was diagnosed after one to ten months. Seven cases were diagnosed as mastopathy, and two cases as intraductal papilloma. All of these were diagnosed as benign disease by palpation and ultrasonography.
Some reports have described that thermography is useful for detecting not only non-palpable breast cancer but also cancer in high-risk patients. Therefore, cases in which thermographic findings indicate malignancy should be observed carefully, even if the findings of other examinations indicate benign disease.

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BSE is a simple method for detecting breast cancer. However, it seems that the proportion of women undergoing breast examination or practicing BSE is not high. Therefore, efforts to increase this ratio are important. The present study was conducted to determine the degree of awareness and extent of practice of BSE among housewives and female hospital staff. The data were obtained by questionnaire and palpation of a breast model. Interest in BSE was the same in both housewives and female hospital staff, but a significant difference was found in motivation. A considerable number of housewives obtained information about BSE from publications and television, whereas the female hospital staff did so at medical seminars. It was considered that their BSE technique was not yet satisfactory. Therefore, education about the BSE technique based on life style and social environment is necessary. Having women get into the habit of performing BSE is also needed.

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A breast self-examination (BSE) education program was provided for suitably motivated women in order to overcome various barriers to practicing BSE, such as lack of knowledge and confidence. This program was instituted immediately after periodic physical examination by a doctor, and was based on individual instruction given by nurses using simulated breast models, with the aim of encouraging women to perform BSE more frequently and skilfully.
This BSE education program achieved a real improvement in the frequency of BSE practice after three and six months, although the number of women performing BSE monthly did not increase as much as expected. Therefore, some new system for periodic checking may be necessary in order to achieve a further increase in monthly BSE performers for early detection of so-called interval breast cancers.

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Promotion of breast self-examination (BSE) has recently gained importance as a way of detecting breast cancer in the early stage. In the present study, we investigated the utility of nurses' guidance regarding BSE using “sensor pads”.
We mailed a questionnaire to 225 patients and studied 135 replies that were collected anonymously. The analysis was conducted based on the use of “sensor pads” in relation to the type of disease, age, the period of purchase, frequency of usage, and rate of detection.
The survey revealed that guidance about BSE using “sensor pads” given by nurses was effective for increasing the frequency of BSE. As to the rate of detection, few patients had detected tumors using “sensor pads” in this study. These results suggest that it is important to further encourage women to perform BSE through proper guidance, and to investigate the utility of “sensor pads” in a greater number of patients.

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