Expert Consensus on Tiered Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer as a Single-Disease Management Model in China (2025 Edition)

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most prevalent female malignancy worldwide. In 2022, China recorded approximately 357,000 new breast cancer cases and 75,000 deaths, posing a serious threat to female health. Given the “inverted pyramid” structure of China's healthcare system in service provision and resource distribution, there is an urgent need to establish a rational medical service framework that can optimize resource allocation, ensure patients receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment at different stages, and strengthen patient-centered continuity of care, thereby enhancing overall therapeutic outcomes. Under the tiered diagnosis and treatment framework, the Breast Cancer Expert Committee of the National Cancer Quality Control Center and the National Health Development Research Center of the National Health Commission have jointly drafted and formulated this Expert Consensus on Tiered Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer as a Single-disease Management Model of Breast Cancer in China (2025 Edition) to clarify the functional roles of different tiers of healthcare institutions, rationally allocate medical resources, and establish an integrated healthcare service system. This system emphasizes primary care, two-way referrals, differentiated management of acute and chronic conditions, and coordinated multi-level collaboration. The goal is to optimize comprehensive breast cancer management, spanning prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, ultimately improving patient survival and quality of life.