Breast screening programmes

Last revised by Arlene Campos on 12 Feb 2024

Breast screening programs are programs where mammography or other screening methods are carried out in populations of asymptomatic women for the improved detection of breast cancer.

Such programs vary widely from country to country. The WHO recommends implementing different programs based on the level of health resources in a setting 1 based on evidence about risks, costs and benefits. In some population groups, such as women between 70-75 in limited-resource settings with weak health systems, there is limited and low-quality evidence 1 from which to calculate the efficacy of programs.

The EU has harmonized guidelines available online but not harmonized implementation among its member nations. The United States of America has no centrally organized breast screening program 3 although the CDC administers a National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which attempts to provide screening to low-income uninsured populations but does not reach all of this population 4.

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