The effectiveness of screening has been proven as secondary preventive approach from breast cancer.
One of the effective screening ways is clinical breast examination (CBE) and it must be performed for early detection of breast cancer. CBE should only be performed annually by specially trained health professionals to every woman who comes into any health unit for any reason. It must be performed through the trinity of clinical history, inspection and palpation, on seated and lying position, by using the finger pads of the three middle fingers with vertical strip pattern.
For healthy woman, only mammographic (MMG) screening is enough for imaging screening approach. MMG should be performed on two positions, namely “craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique”. MMG screening for healthy woman should start at 40 years of age, and should be continued until 70 years of age. Breast ultrasonography and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not recommended for routine screening on healthy women.
The endications of MRI usage for “diagnostic” approach are limited and defined detailed in which condition should be used. The Positron emission tomography - computed tomography (PET-CT) is not an alternative way of screening of far metastatic tumors agains the classic screenings.
The standarts of technic and reports of all ways of usage of breast imaging must be defined nationally and implement the related accreditation programmes.
The needle biopsies should be preferred for pathological diagnosis on women suspected to have breast cancer clinically and/or radiologically.
Keywords: Breast cancer, clinical breast examination, mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, needle biopsy