Breast Cancer Screening

The National Breast Screening Programme began on 31st March 1988 and is being phased in over a three-year period. It is the first such programme to operate in the UK. The educational materials for most parts of the Programme are being prepared by the DHSS (Dr Muir Gray) in partnership with the Cancer Research Campaign (CRC). All the resource materials for the Primary Care Team are being developed by Dr Joan Austoker. This guide for general practitioners is modelled on Dr Ann McPherson's "Cervical Screening: a Practical Guide" and, after brief introductory sections on epidemiology, pathology and early diagnosis, describes the organization and administration of the screening programme. It is the intention of the Programme's organizers to distribute one copy of the breast screening guide to every general practice in England and Wales.