Assessment of a breast cancer screening programme in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

A breast cancer screening programme was evaluated for approximately 10,000 women aged 35 years and older. There were 67 cases of breast cancer. Highest rates of attendance were seen among younger women (35-44 years) and middle socioeconomic groups. Lowest rates were among those aged over 65 years and low socioeconomic groups. The rate of detection by self-examination was similar to that by health personnel examination. At all stages of screening, positive findings were most common among the high socioeconomic class. Attendance decreased steadily from first to last stages of serial screening. Although mammography is the most sensitive method of detection, because of its high cost we suggest establishing breast self-examination education programmes and encouraging women to self-examine.