Clinical breast examination in a comprehensive breast cancer screening program: contribution and cost.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the cost of clinical breast examination (CBE) and its contribution to screening mammography in the detection of breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: The study received a waiver of authorization from the institutional review board, informed patient consent was not required, and the study was compliant with HIPAA regulations. The records of 60 027 consecutive asymptomatic patients who underwent screening mammography were retrospectively reviewed.