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Arch Surg. 2001;136:1327.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

I am intrigued by the use of new technology to palpate breast tissue as presented by Wellman et al¹ in the ARCHIVES. Such technology may prove useful. However, I am dismayed by the present publication of unqualified statements that the tactile imaging device "can enhance cancer surveillance for patients with benign masses" and "may permit clinicians to monitor suspicious structures across time so that changes may be easily detected." The implication is that this "promising method for documenting benign breast masses" can detect a 15% change in size "as a significant difference," which will presumably lead to a biopsy when the change occurs.

The most common cause of delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer is the clinical decision that a mass is benign. Statements such as these encourage this decision by offering the false security of being able to look for changes across time.

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