Fifteen years of mammography in cosmetic surgery of the breast.

In a series of 1149 cases of cosmetic surgery of the breast performed from 1973 to 1989, early diagnosis of breast cancer in 34 cases was possible by relying mainly on the use of mammography for the diagnosis. It is strongly recommended that a policy of mandatory preoperative mammography be implemented so that all patients can be protected from a lethal disease that has a far better prognosis when detected early.