Screening and breast cancer: the role of breast awareness

Abstract

Breast cancer is the single most common cause of death in women aged 35 to 54 years. The increasing incidence of the disease and the little change there has been in survival rates over the past 50 years, despite progress with treatment options, makes breast cancer an important health problem for women (Nettles-Carlson 1989, Cancer Research Campaign 1991, American Cancer Society 1991). According to Blamey et al (1994):

Lack of knowledge of the pathogenesis of breast cancer means that primary prevention is currently a distant prospect. Screening represents an alternative approach to reduce mortality from breast cancer.

The Department of Health (1992) has targeted a reduction in breast cancer related mortality as one of its major targets. It predicts that there will be 1 250 less deaths per annum as a result of the National Breast Screening Programme in the UK. However, this programme is only offered to women aged between 50 and 64. What of those women in the younger and older age groups, who are not part of the National Screening Programme, or women who present with symptomatic disease? Blamey et al (1994) have suggested that these women may receive an inferior service to that offered via the National Screening Programme.