As per India's operational framework for population-based screening of common cancers, early detection of breast cancer in the community relies primarily on:
- A Clinical breast examination once every 5 years for women aged 30 years and above ✓
- B Annual screening mammography for all women above 40 years
- C Monthly breast self-examination as the sole screening method
- D Biennial mammography combined with ultrasound for women above 50 years
Correct answer: A. Clinical breast examination once every 5 years for women aged 30 years and above
Explanation
India's programme uses clinical breast examination by a trained health worker once every 5 years for women aged 30 years and above, delivered alongside cervical and oral cancer screening. Mammography is reserved for diagnostic evaluation of suspicious lesions, not population screening, because of cost and infrastructure constraints. Self-examination alone lacks evidence for mortality reduction and is not the recommended primary 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.