The first screening experiences of breast cancer in northwest of Iran.

e13551Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women and the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. In Iran, it is the second common cancer and the seventh leading cause of cancer death for both sexes. The aim of this study is to improve breast cancer early detection using screening modalities in the northwest region of Iran. Methods: This is an ongoing feasibility trial started with 113 healthy women aged between 35 and 65 years selected randomly in the northwest of the country. After obtaining informed consent form, they are trained for breast self-examination. It has been planned to clinically follow up each woman for one year (with three-month intervals) followed by a mammography test at the end. At any part of the follow up, if any suspicious mass is found, the subject will be referred to oncologist for further medical interventions. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 46.9 (± 8. 8) years, with a mean Body Mass Index of 29.2 (±5.0). All women were trained for self-e...