Cited by 776Digital Radiography and Breast ImagingGlobal Cancer Incidence and ScreeningWomen's cancer prevention and management

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 173 of the 173 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

American Cancer Society Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening: Update 2003

Open access

Smith, R. A., Saslow, D., Andrews Sawyer, K., Burke, W., Costanza, M. E., Evans, W. P., Foster, R. S., Hendrick, E., Eyre, H. J., Sener, S.·2003·CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians

DOI 10.3322/canjclin.53.3.141

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

In 2003, the American Cancer Society updated its guidelines for early detection of breast cancer based on recommendations from a formal review of evidence and a recent workshop. The new screening recommendations address screening mammography, physical examination, screening older women and women with comorbid conditions, screening women at high risk, and new screening technologies.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3322/canjclin.53.3.141

Cites

173 of 173 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

We couldn’t retrieve this paper’s full text, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

1 retracted

BRCA1 required for transcription-coupled repair of oxidative DNA damage
Gowen, L. C., Avrutskaya, A. V., Latour, A. M., Koller, B. H., & Leadon, S. A. (1998) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.281.5379.1009 · Cited by 496
Retracted
A Strong Candidate for the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility Gene BRCA1
Miki, Y., Swensen, J. J., Shattuck-Eidens, D. M., Futreal, P. A., Harshman, K., Tavtigian, S. V., Liu, Q., Cochran, C., Bennett, L. M., Ding, W., et al. (1994) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.7545954 · Cited by 6,069
Projecting Individualized Probabilities of Developing Breast Cancer for White Females Who Are Being Examined Annually
Gail, M. H., Brinton, L. A., Byar, D. P., Corle, D. K., Green, S. B., Schairer, C., & Mulvihill, J. J. (1989) · JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute · doi:10.1093/jnci/81.24.1879 · Cited by 3,334
Localization of a Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene, BRCA2 , to Chromosome 13q12-13
Wooster, R., Neuhausen, S. L., Mangion, J., Quirk, Y., Ford, D., Collins, N., Nguyen, K. N., Seal, S., Tran, T. D., Averill, D., et al. (1994) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.8091231 · Cited by 1,918
Screening for breast cancer with mammography
Gøtzsche, P. C., & Jørgensen, K. J. (2013) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd001877.pub5 · Cited by 1,886
Solid breast nodules: use of sonography to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions.
Stavros, A. T., Thickman, D., Rapp, C., Dennis, M. A., Parker, S. H., & Sisney, G. A. (1995) · Radiology · doi:10.1148/radiology.196.1.7784555 · Cited by 1,771
Comparison of the Performance of Screening Mammography, Physical Examination, and Breast US and Evaluation of Factors that Influence Them: An Analysis of 27,825 Patient Evaluations
Kolb, T. M., Lichy, J., & Newhouse, J. H. (2002) · Radiology · doi:10.1148/radiol.2251011667 · Cited by 1,728
Breast and ovarian cancer incidence in BRCA1-mutation carriers. Breast Cancer Linkage Consortium.
Easton, D. F., Ford, D., & Bishop, D. T. (1995) · PubMed Central · Cited by 1,602
Familial breast cancer: collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 52 epidemiological studies including 58 209 women with breast cancer and 101 986 women without the disease
(2001) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(01)06524-2 · Cited by 1,188
Long-term effects of mammography screening: updated overview of the Swedish randomised trials
Nyström, L., Andersson, I., Bjurstam, N., Frisell, J., Nordenskjöld, B. A., & Rutqvist, L. E. (2002) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(02)08020-0 · Cited by 1,182

Show all 173 references

Sorted by citations

Items 701–776 of 776

Advances in treating early breast cancer
Hanley, K. Y., Beckman, A. C., & Hayne, M. (2005) · JAAPA · doi:10.1097/01720610-200511000-00007
MINISTÉRIO DA EDUCAÇAO UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE CENTRO DE CIENCIAS DA SAÚDE PROGRAMA DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM CIENCIAS FARMACEUTICAS AVALIAÇÃO CITOLÓGICA EM BASE LÍQUIDA DE FÁRMACOS MODULADORES ESTROGÊNICOS
Martins, R. R. (2006)
How do Breast Cancer Mortality Rates Differ between Women who are Screened Annually and Biennially by Mammography?
Entesab, A. H. M. (2016) · Journal of General Practice · doi:10.4172/2329-9126.1000244
Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching (VAT) on Knowledge and Pre Procedural Anxiety Level of Patients Undergoing Mammography AIMS, Kochi
Babu, R. M. (2015) · Journal of Cancer Prevention & Current Research · doi:10.15406/jcpcr.2015.03.00096
Tailored Breast cancer s creening Program with Microdose Mammography, Us , and M r imaging: Short-term Results of a Pilot Study in
Imag, B., Venturini, E., Losio, C., Panizza, P., Rodighiero, M., Fedele, I., Tacchini, S., Schiani, E., Ravelli, S., Cristel, G., et al. (2013)
Improving rates of mammographic screening.
Gold, J. A. (2004) · PubMed
Trends in Breast Cancer at a County Hospital
Hoehne, F. M., & Taylor, E. (2005) · The American Surgeon · doi:10.1177/000313480507100213
Review Article Epigenetics and Epigenetic Alterations in Pancreatic Cancer
Omura, N., & Goggins, M. (2015)
Social Capital in Breast Cancer Screening
Vines, D. J. (2009) · NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives
Breast Imaging Modalities for Pathologists
Hakim, C. M., Ganott, M. A., Vogia, A., & Sumkin, J. H. (2012) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-0604-8.00008-4
Counseling the Cancer Survivor
Jacobs, L. A., & Giarelli, E. (2006) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-012088393-6/50099-3
Double Independent Reading at Screening Mammography with Arbitration at the University Hospital of the West Indies: The initial experience
(2010) · The Internet Journal of Radiology · doi:10.5580/26d9
New imaging techniques
Harms, S. E., & Harms, S. E. (2006) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/b13912-4
A discursive analysis of accounts of breast cancer screening, risk and prevention
Crabb, S. (2006) · Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide)
Content Validity of a Screening Instrument for Breast Cancer Early Detection Among Asian American Women: The Cultural Health and Screening Mammography Belief Scale
Zhao, M., & Conard, P. L. (2016) · Journal of Nursing Measurement · doi:10.1891/1061-3749.24.3.356
“As the evidence of screening mammography for breast cancer early detection has been well established in previous literature (Smith et al., 2003), most U.S. health organizations recommend routine screening mammography for women aged 40 or 50 years and older to detect breast cancer at its early stage…”
BackgroundMethod
Evaluation of Abnormal Mammographic Findings in Initial Screening of 1000 Patients during 2008-2009 in Radiology Department of Imam Reza Hospital
Rahimi, L., Farrokh, D., Khadem, N., Khajedaluee, M., Rastegar, Y. F., & Mirsalehi, A. (2015) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)
ROLE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN EPIRUBICIN FOR BREAST CANCER THERAPY IN TAIF CITY.
Khlood, J. (2017) · International Journal of Advanced Research · doi:10.21474/ijar01/3244
Microcalcification detection using Self Organizing Neuro Glia Network classifier
Bertegi, S., & Marzouki, K. (2017) · International Joint Conference on Neural Networks (IJCNN) · doi:10.1109/ijcnn.2017.7966431
“The only and effective way to prevent it is a systematic mammography screening especially for women aged 40 years old and more [2].”
Background
Étude des pratiques de dépistage du cancer chez la personne âgée ayant une démence Cancer screening practices in elderly with dementia
Chapelet, G., Berrut, G., Bourbouloux, E., Campone, M., Derkinderen, P., & de Decker, L. (2015)
Estimation of Volumetric Breast Density from Digital Mammograms
Alonzo‐Proulx, O. (2014) · TSpace (University of Toronto)
Gynécologie: De la mammographie de dépistage avant 50 ans
Jf, D. (2004) · Forum Médical Suisse ‒ Swiss Medical Forum · doi:10.4414/fms.2004.05074
Gynäkologie: Mammographie-Screening vor dem 5. Lebensjahrzehnt
Jf, D. (2004) · Swiss Medical Forum ‒ Schweizerisches Medizin-Forum · doi:10.4414/smf.2004.05074
Breast conserving surgery and intra-operative specimen radiography: Margin assessment by the surgeon or the radiologist?
Mylvaganam, S. (2018) · International Journal of Radiology and Radiation Oncology · doi:10.17352/ijrro.000028
Approach to Cancer Diagnosis
Amalraj, S., & Naeim, A. (2012) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-1398-5.10003-7
Classification Tree Models for Predicting Cancer Status
Chen, P. (2009)
PREDICTION OF TUMOR DEVELOPMENT OF MAMMARY GLANDS IN WOMEN OF VARIOUS AGE GROUPS
Сергеевна, Ж. А., Курлаев, П. П., & Shevlyuk, N. N. (2016) · Grekov s Bulletin of Surgery · doi:10.24884/0042-4625-2016-175-6-20-23
Patient Knowledge of and Barriers to Breast, Colon, and Cervical Cancer Screenings: A Cross-Sectional Survey of TRICARE Beneficiaries.
Tracy, L. A., Colt, R., Bradish, S., Reilly, T. P., Marshall-Aiyelawo, K., & Chiu, L. (2017) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
A prospective study of benign breast disorders at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
Kumar, A., Snehlata, S., & Kaur, N. (2019) · Surgical Update International Journal of Surgery and Orthopedics · doi:10.17511/ijoso.2019.i05.06
Breast cancer in women: Prevention
Vasiljević, S., Konević, S., & Paunović, V. (2012) · Zdravstvena zastita · doi:10.5937/zz1201050v
Geriatric Oncology
Gosney, M. (2010) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-6231-8.10094-7
Mammography Acquisition
Hendrick, R. E., & Ikeda, D. M. (2011) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-05198-9.00001-9
Endometrial Polip ile Meme Hastalıkları Arasındaki İlişki
Çelikel, Ö. Ö. (2020) · Abant Medical Journal · doi:10.47493/abantmedj.2020.5
HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF VARIOUS BIRADS CATEGORIES OF BREAST LESIONS- A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.
Kumari, P., Harika, M., Jahnavi, G., & Bala, G. S. (2020) · GLOBAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS · doi:10.36106/gjra/1710279
Validitas Kombinasi Pemeriksaan Klinis dan Biopsi Aspirasi Jarum Halus Dalam Menegakkan Diagnosis Tumor Payudara Palpabel
Heriady, Y., Achmad, D., & Hartono, H. (2014) · Jurnal llmu Bedah Indonesia · doi:10.46800/jibi-ikabi.v43i1.71
Knowledge of cervical cancer screening among women in Farin Tanki Area Argungu, Kebbi State, Nigeria
Argungu, Z. M., Yakubu, L., Maisanda, K. A., Musa, M. M., Illo, U. Y., & Abdulwaliyu, K. (2021) · International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing · doi:10.33545/26642298.2021.v3.i1a.58
Mammography during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Campaigns in Lomé (Togo): In Relation to 1074 Cases over a Period of 5 Years
Amadou, A., Dagbé, M., Adjadohoun, S. B. M. G., Gbandé, P., Sonhaye, L., Sonhaye, L., Agoda-Koussema, L. K., & Adjenou, K. E. (2021) · Open Journal of Radiology · doi:10.4236/ojrad.2021.113007
Breast cancer and pregnancy
Kliethermes, B., Stramer, D., & Sauter, E. R. (2021) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/9781003222590-31
Breast Oncology
Uceda, M. J., & Khan, S. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-84172-0_36
Breast Imaging
Fajardo, L. L., Berg, W. A., & Smith, R. A. (2006) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/0-387-31216-1_3
Self-citation
Role of Clinical Examination in the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Moaiery, H., Nabatzade, M., Akbari, E., Zareei, B., & Rasouli, A. (2021) · Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences · doi:10.52547/sjku.26.6.1
Screening
Taplin, S. H., Dash, S. R., Zeller, P. K., & Zapka, J. G. (2007) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/0-387-31056-8_24
References
Yaffe, M. J., Bunch, P. C., Desponds, L., Jong, R. A., Nishikawa, R. M., Tapiovaara, M. J., & Young, K. C. (2009) · Journal of the ICRU · doi:10.1093/jicru/ndp028
Genetic Disposition
Schlossbauer, T., Hellerhoff, K., Perlet, C., Raue, F., & Delorme, S. (2008) · Medical radiology · doi:10.1007/978-3-540-49831-5_15
The Breast
Swartz, M. H. (2009) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-6203-5.00016-2
Cancer
(2005) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195151091.003.0004
Imaging
Wahl, R. L. (2020) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-47674-4.00016-5
Screening Mammography
Fajardo, L. L. (2005) · Imaging Decisions MRI · doi:10.1111/j.1617-0830.2005.00043.x
Breast Cancer
Turner, B. M., & Hicks, D. G. (2014) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_114-1
Breast Cancer
Carey, L. (2009) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-4417-8.50087-5
Imaging
Wahl, R. L. (2008) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-06694-8.50025-7
Imaging ductal carcinoma using a hyperspectral imaging system
Khouj, Y. (2016) · doi:10.33915/etd.5970
Mammogram Interpretation
(2011) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-05198-9.00002-0
Imaging
Wahl, R. L. (2014) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-2865-7.00018-7
Menopause
Nevin, J. E., & Ehrenthal, D. B. (2008) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59745-469-8_3
Dramatic increase in volume versus length of invasive ductal carcinoma mimicking intramammary lymph node in a small nodular lesion
Kurt, S. A., & Çelik, V. (2022) · Bulletin of the National Research Centre/Bulletin of the National Research Center · doi:10.1186/s42269-022-00823-y
Knowledge, attitudes and practice of breast control in primary care centers: impact on breast cancer epidemiology in San Rafael, Mendoza
Lorca, J. I. P., Gerardi, F. J., Alonso, P., & Orozco, J. I. J. (2022) · Obstetrics & Gynecology International Journal · doi:10.15406/ogij.2022.13.00682
Meme muayenesi yaptıran hastalara yaklaşım ve işbirliğinin değerlendirilmesinde multidisipliner farklılıklar
Albuz, Ö., DÜLGER, D., Cabuk, G., & AYDIN, F. (2023) · Turkish Journal of Clinics and Laboratory · doi:10.18663/tjcl.1250083
Brust-Selbstuntersuchung zur Brustkrebs-Früherkennung
Kostner, S. (2011) · Zeitschrift für Allgemeinmedizin · doi:10.1007/bf03652487
Incidence of Cancer in Nepal: A Three-Year Trend Analysis
Acharya, B. C., Shrestha, G., Neupane, P. R., & Lamichhane, N. (2022) · Nepalese Journal of Cancer · doi:10.3126/njc.v6i2.58214
The influence of dietary sugar intake on colorectal cancer
Jing, Y. (2023) · Theoretical and Natural Science · doi:10.54254/2753-8818/27/20240744
Mode of Detection of Second Breast Cancers in Patients Undergoing Surveillance After Treatment of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
Waites, B. T., Lyon, L. L., Kuehner, G. E., Odele, P., Habel, L. A., & Liu, R. (2023) · Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network · doi:10.6004/jnccn.2023.7082
Evaluation of Brest cancer by two different modalities Ultrasound and Mammography
Koshada, A. M. (2023) · Libyan Journal of Medical Research · doi:10.54361/ljm17-2.14
Enhancing breast cancer detection in PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome through insights into MRI and mammography lesion featuresPreprint
Mann, R. M., Hoxhaj, A., Milants, A., Techanithisawat, P., Bult, P., & Hoogerbrugge, N. (2024) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3813519/v1
Evaluation of Automated Mammographic Density Classification in Tomosynthesis: Comparison with Radiologists
Kızıloğlu, H. A., Beyhan, M., Gökçe, E., Birişik, Y., Battal, M. F., Çeker, M. E., & Demir, O. (2024) · European Journal of Therapeutics · doi:10.58600/eurjther2002
Breast Imaging Modalities for Pathologists
Hakim, C. M., Ganott, M. A., Vogia, A., & Sumkin, J. H. (2017) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-38961-7.00008-3
The Design of Machine Learning-Based Computer-Aided System with LabVIEW For Abnormalities in Mammogram Images
Hamadamin, İ., & Güler, H. (2024) · Turkish Journal of Science and Technology · doi:10.55525/tjst.1424371
International Results for Breast Cancer Screening System Survey
Couper, S., Landry, L., Fitzjohn, J., Zhou, C., & Chase, J. G. (2024) · IFAC-PapersOnLine · doi:10.1016/j.ifacol.2024.11.003
Ergonomic Comfort and Tolerance Trial Results for Digital Imaging Elasto Tomography (DIET) Breast Cancer Screening
Couper, S., Sewell, J., Blain, E., Dorler, B., Fitzjohn, J., Zhou, C., Su, Y., & Chase, J. G. (2024) · IFAC-PapersOnLine · doi:10.1016/j.ifacol.2024.11.004
Predicting the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) emergence in 5 years using mammography images: a comparison study between radiomics and deep learning algorithm
Letchumanan, N., Hanaoka, S., Takenaga, T., Suzuki, Y., Nakao, T., Nomura, Y., Yoshikawa, T., & Abe, O. (2025) · Journal of medical imaging · doi:10.1117/1.jmi.12.1.014501 · Cited by 1
Patient perspective: Is intensive screening of women at high risk of breast cancer evidence-based medicine or déjà vu ?
Fairman, K. A. (2025) · Women s Health · doi:10.1177/17455057241307089
“11, 12,40,41 First, the risk of radiation-induced breast cancer is increased in women who receive more intensive or longer-term mammography screening, including follow-up of initially positive results.”
Mammogram Analysis and Interpretation
Ikeda, D. M., & Miyake, K. K. (2017) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-32904-0.00002-1
Mammography Acquisition
Hendrick, R. E., Ikeda, D. M., & Miyake, K. K. (2017) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-32904-0.00001-x
BIRADS 3 ve 4 Meme Lezyonlarına Yaklaşım: Hangi Olgulara Biyopsi Yapılmalı?
Gazioğlu, D., Büyükaşık, O., Hasdemir, A. O., & Kargıcı, H. (2009) · DergiPark (Istanbul University)
121Chapter 6 Artificial intelligence in breast cancer management
Malviya, R., Rajput, S., Roy, M., Sridhar, S. B., & Thomas, S. (2025) · De Gruyter eBooks · doi:10.1515/9783111670744-006
Imaging Technologies and Applications in Early Diagnosis and Prognosis for Breast Cancer
Gil, M. M., Cuerva, M. J., Iacoponi, S., Sánchez-Méndez, J. I., & Zapardiel, I. (2014) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-81-322-0843-3_19
Elaboration of protein microarrays for rapid screening and quantification of breast cancer biomarkers
Shi, L. (2015) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/66229a8fz621az4cd8zbc07z49f998817ed5

Authors: Smith, R. A., Saslow, D., Andrews Sawyer, K., Burke, W., Costanza, M. E., Evans, W. P., Foster, R. S., Hendrick, E., Eyre, H. J., & Sener, S.
Affiliations: American Cancer Society (US)
University of Washington (US)
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (US)
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
Emory University (US)
Northwestern Memorial Hospital (US)
ORCID: Burke, W.
Foster, R. S.
Sener, S.
Venue: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2003-05-01
Volume: 53
Issue: 3
Pages: 141-169
ISSN: 0007-9235 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.3322/canjclin.53.3.141
OpenAlex: W2097419638
Semantic Scholar: 619b6508217b034bd82e1d144557e3e04028b44d
Cited by: 770
References: 173
Citations by year: 2025: 5 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 47 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 41 · 2012: 42
FWCI: 40.77
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Licence: doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 4506 d)
Locations: CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
eScholarship@UMassChan (submittedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Digital Radiography and Breast Imaging
Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Women's cancer prevention and management
Keywords: breast cancer screening, early detection, mammography screening, clinical breast examination, older women, comorbidities, high-risk women, screening technologies, American Cancer Society guidelines
MeSH terms: Adult, Aged, Breast Neoplasms, Diagnostic Imaging, Female, Humans, Mammography, Mass Screening, Middle Aged, Physical Examination, Risk Factors

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

American Cancer Society Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening: Update 2003

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks