Abstract
About 80% of mammary nodules are diagnosed by women thanks to the self-examination technique (18), but the search for clinically palpable cancer is carried out late (19, 20). In addition, the incorrect execution of the self-examination can decrease its sensitivity (21), which is why the effectiveness of this technique is also questioned. Among the barriers to performing breast self-examination, lack of advice from a health professional and not having a family history of breast cancer have been described (22). Peculiarly, it has been seen that, in women health professionals, even knowing this technique, they do not perform it, either due to lack of time or because its execution is not a priority for them. The fear of finding some abnormality in the breasts is also an obstacle (23). The mass media play a role in raising awareness of self-care, bringing government efforts closer to the general population to educate the population regarding the breast self-examination technique, despite this, the information provided is often not ideal. The systematic review of the scientific evidence regarding breast self-examination can be of great help to bring the population closer to an early diagnosis process, because by knowing the effectiveness of breast self-examination it is possible to develop and recommend better strategies for early detection. of breast cancer, bringing the population closer to a better prognosis, in addition to saving lives, along with reducing the high emotional and monetary costs associated with late treatment.
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