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Breast cancer screening in France

In 2003, mammography screening led to some 43,000 diagnoses of breast cancer in France. Around 70,000 women had abnormal results which subsequently proved to be a false alarm.

Since the early 1980s, mammography screening has been widely practised in France, initially on individual prescription. Routine screening began in some regions in 1989, gradually extending to the whole of France by 2000, and it is now in place in most regions.

The involvement of public and private radiology units is specifically French: other countries have dedicated centres. The technical quality of the mammograms has slowly improved, and is now close to European standards.

Two mammograms are systematically taken (frontal and internal oblique). When the results appear normal, a second interpretation is routine. With results that appear abnormal, further tests should be carried out without waiting for a second opinion, so as to reduce the delay and anxiety for women in a state of uncertainty.

In 2003, mammography screening resulted in the diagnosis of around 43,000 cases of breast cancers. Some 70,000 women were subjected to the anxiety generated by results that appeared abnormal, but which subsequently turned out to be a false alarm.

©Prescrire March 2006

Source: "Le dépistage mammographique des cancers du sein en France" Rev Prescrire 2006 ; 26 (270) : 214-217.

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