N Kamangari - MD

One in 8 women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifeand about 8 out of 10 breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years orolder. Breast screening using mammography can reduce the mortality associatedwith breast cancer in the 50-70 age group.In the UK, the breast screening is offered free of charge through the NationalHealth Service (NHS) to all women aged 50 to 70 every three years. Around 2million women are screened annually in more than 80 breast screening centresin UK.All women aged 50 to 70registered with a general practitioner are automaticallyinvited to a specialised screening unit, which can be hospital based or mobile.At the screening unit a female radiographer takes two-view conventional ordigital mammography. Film reading, recalls and further assessment of patientsare perfomed according to strict national guidelines.The Breast Screening Programmein the UK is coordinated nationally andmonitored through a national quality assurance network. The estimated cost ofthe programme in England is around £96 million a year.