Brustkrebs-Früherkennung in Deutschland

The guideline Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Germany aims to assist physicians, healthy women, and patients in decision making with recommendations based on evidence and formal consensus regarding the diagnostic chain of health care for early detection of breast cancer. This guideline updates the previous version of 2003. The guideline is a precondition to establishing an effective and efficient national early breast cancer detection program in accordance with the requirements of the European Council and the World Health Organization for cancer control programs. The core imaging technique of an early detection program is mammography, whether used for screening or diagnosis. Breast health care outcomes can be improved by embedding this imaging technology in a quality-assured diagnostic chain. The guideline comprises areas of present scientific and medical knowledge, based on evidence and consensus and covering all multidisciplinary aspects of the diagnostic chain, including clinical history taking, risk consultation and communication, breast health awareness, physical breast examination, breast imaging, interventional guided biopsy, excision biopsy, and breast pathology. The guideline provides formal measures as quality indicators to ensure resource availability, process quality, and outcome of the diagnostic chain. Early detection of breast cancer is presently the most promising chance for optimizing diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in order to reduce mortality and morbidity while improving survivors’ quality of life. The aim is to detect breast cancer as a noninvasive disease or an invasive disease at an early stage, with a 5-year survival rate of more than 90% with adequate treatment. Detecting more noninvasive breast cancer might even help reduce the incidence. Within the scope of secondary prevention, early detection offers the chance of cure at an early disease stage by less intensive treatment.