Breast cancer screening.

Achieving and maintaining a high rate of attendance for screening and two-yearly re-screening is essential for the success of the BreastScreen Australia program. A low participation rate will result in fewer breast cancer-related deaths being prevented. Results of two recent large randomised trials do not show that a systematic approach to breast self examination finds breast cancers early or impacts on survival. "Breast awareness" and the prompt reporting of breast symptoms are important early detection messages for women of all ages. General practitioners have a key role in the promotion and provision of information about effective public-health initiatives for the early detection of breast cancer.