Principles of woman´s breast care

In the Czech Republic the audited countrywide breast cancer screening has been already successfully functional for sixteen years, including regular quality control and outcome data presentations. Thus, breast cancer mortality in the Czech Republic has been reduced by 30%. Generally speaking, the preventive measures of woman´s breast care are age-dependent. In fertile period under 40 years of age only the self-examination of breast is indicated, complemented by ultrasonography when needed. Preventive care in pre-screening age, i.e.under 45, should be based on individual decision with awareness of relevant risk factors. Since 40 years of age the transparency of breast tissue is increasing in mammography, which thereafter becomes the prime and only preventive method proved as effective for reduction of breast cancer mortality. For age interval 40–45, however, the preventive use of mammography has not been yet adopted in Europan countries, but can be recommended for women with higher risk of cancer or willing to start with preventive mammography earlier than since 45 years. Every general practitioner (GP) should be aware of rules of preventive breast examination and be able to supervise participation of registered women in national breast cancer screening program. GPs should also actively recognize and recommend for breast cancer screening all women with any previous oncological record. These women certainly possess the higher inherent risk of any cancer, including breast, than a healthy population.

Keywords: mammography, ultrasonography of women´s breast, national breast cancer screening in the Czech Republic, multipletumors, individual risk, age-related preference of examination methods