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This report presents the results of a study into the effect of breast self-examination (BSE) in a large defined population within the City of Nottingham since 1979. We have examined the effect of breast self-examination in a group of patients invited to attend for education in BSE compared with a group of historical controls. No overall survival advantage has been demonstrated for the study group but within the latter group patients who had attended for instruction in BSE had a significantly better actuarial survival at 13 years than those who did not (P less than 0.001). Patients in the study group presented with significantly smaller tumours which were more likely to be of better histological grade and lymph node stage. A case-control study has demonstrated the value of attendance for BSE particularly in post-menopausal women. Although BSE is not as sensitive as mammographic screening, patients who practise it present with more favourable tumour characteristics and its value in post-menopausal women supports its use as an adjunct to mammographic screening.

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The early results are presented from a programme of education for Breast Self‐Examination (BSE) for self‐referral; 32000 women in one health district, between the ages of 40 and 65 years, were invited by letter for education in BSE.Since the study began (1981–85), 153 breast cancers have been diagnosed. and they have been compared with the 153 breast cancers in the same age group presenting in the same health district immediately prior to the start of the study.A significant amelioration of prognostic factors is seen in the study group. However, at this time there is no significant difference in survival between the Study and the Control groups. The benign to cancer biopsy ratio is 1.2: 1.