Which screening modality for breast cancer is the only one that has demonstrated a reduction in breast cancer mortality in randomised controlled trials, and is recommended biennially for women aged 50 to 69 years?

• A Breast self-examination
• B Clinical breast examination by a health worker
• C Thermography
• D Mammography ✓

Explanation

Mammography is the only breast cancer screening test whose mortality benefit has been established in randomised trials, supporting its use every two years in women aged 50 to 69. Large trials of breast self-examination showed no mortality reduction and more benign biopsies, so it is promoted only for awareness. Thermography lacks validated sensitivity and specificity and is not recommended anywhere as a screening tool.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.