Risk assessment, screening and prevention of breast cancer: A look at cost-effectiveness.

Recent suggestions by the United States Preventive Task Force to change the longstanding guidelines for screening mammography have raised the issue of cost-effectiveness in regards to breast cancer detection. Given the enormous number of women who have had, or who will be diagnosed with breast cancer, it is essential to maintain the quality of care that has been achieved here in the United States while utilizing a cost-effective approach. The following review attempts a close examination of current methods available for risk assessment, screening and prevention programs. These programs must be carefully considered and analyzed prior to implementing cost-saving changes to current clinical standards that have proven successful in decreasing the mortality from breast cancer throughout the world.