Breast loss and delay in breast cancer diagnosis: behavioural science in surgical research.

By the use of the methods of behavioural science, a study of women's attitudes to breast cancer and to breast surgery was carried out to provide firm data which might begin to settle the argument regarding conservative surgery for breast cancer. Conscious fears, including that of mastectomy, were found to have no significant influence on the time that a woman takes to report the presence of a breast lump to her doctor, or to commence the practice of breast self-examination. The length of delay is determined by unconscious, non-rational processes, and other factors beyond her control. Rational argument, therefore, such as that earlier diagnosis will permit more conservative surgery including partial mastectomy, will not influence women to present any earlier or to practise breast self-examination.