Screening for Alzheimer's disease: inspiration and ideas from breast cancer strategies.

Screening rates for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and memory impairment are low. There is misinformation, fear, and stigma associated with memory loss and aging. Physicians are slow or reluctant to screen for memory impairment in older adults. The challenges to effective screening for AD are not unique. Thirty years ago, screening for breast cancer also suffered from low participation, fear, stigma, and misinformation. Targeted public health strategies increased disease awareness and early detection for breast cancer, and today, breast cancer screening is generally accepted by health care providers and the public. Strategies used to increase breast cancer screening can serve as examples for the promotion of screening and early detection for AD.