Breast cancer screening: does it fulfil the criteria for medical screening?

Almost a decade ago, in 1986 the Forrest Report advocated that breast screening by single medio-lateral oblique mammography should be offered at 3-yearly intervals, by invitation to women between 50 and 64 years and on request to older women. The Government accepted these recommendations and set up the National Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP). This article critically reviews the extent to which the breast cancer screening programme fulfils the criteria for mass screening.