Observations on growth rate of breast carcinomas and its possible implications for lead time

Doubling times were estimated for 15 breast carcinomas in 13 patients, and were found to be between 42 and 397 days with the average at 211 days. The mean lead time at mean growth rate from the average size of 44 preclinical to the average size of 118 clinical tumors was estimated to be 3 years. This period may be considered the probable time gained through screening for mammary carcinomas by the methods used in our studies, particularly single-view mammography. However, the wide range of observed growth rates and tumor sizes and probably measurement errors decreases the validity of this study.

Acute hypotensive effect of combined beta1-adrenoceptor blockade and beta2-adrenoceptor stimulation in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

The effect on heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) of metoprolol, propranolol and terbutaline, applied alone or in combinations was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Terbutaline had little effect on BP and HR. Propranolol combined with terbutaline had no effect while metoprolol combined with terbutaline decreased BP by 48 mm Hg without affecting HR. Thus the beta2-mediated increase in peripheral vascular resistance after terbutaline was revealed by a drop in BP after beta1-blockade by metoprolol, but not when both beta1-and beta2-receptors were blocked by propranolol.

Single view mammography: a simple and efficent approach to breast cancer screening

In 1974 a new approach to breast cancer screening was introduced--the single view mammography method. An urban nonselected population of 6845 women of more than 34 years of age were screened with one roentgenogram of each breast. By this method it has been possible to reduce the radiation dose, while the patient flow is increased and the costs are decreased to an acceptable level. Forty cases of breast carcinoma were detected (6.7/1000). Twenty cases were preclinical.

Mass-screening of a female population for detection of early carcinoma of the breast

In 1969-1970 a breast mass-screening was undertaken in Gävle, with thermography and questionnaire. Mammary radiography and clinical examination of subjects with abnormal screening reports and of a group of normal subjects were performed. In spite of having achieved early detection of malignant tumours in many cases with a preponderance of carcinoma cases in the abnormal group, thermography was found to have considerable drawbacks as a screening method.