Breast cancer epidemiology in Czech Republic.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and a leading cause of malignant neoplasms death in Czech female population. Only about half of all new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in early stage, consequently therapeutically and prognostically favourable. The benefit of conceptual breast cancer screening, showing an absolute decrease in mortality, can be expected after 5-7 years of screening. That is why early start of mammography hand in hand with clinical examination of the breast will have to be one of the highest priority in the national health promotion programmes.