title: Breast cancer screening: should it be introduced and how?
abstract: This brief discussion of the papers by Gästrin and Paccaud is looking at differences in the results of different study types. Introducing screening means changing unsystematic to systematic screening: only the latter has been shown to be effective. The comparison between randomized trials, and follow-up of acceptors only, suggests that the non-acceptors have much higher risks. Programmes should therefore concentrate on trying to reach non-acceptors. The combination of mammographic screening and self-examination in a randomized trial could add to the existing evidence.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin, Universität Basel.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ackermann-Liebrich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors