[Practical use of a guideline for examination and treatment for breast cancer]

There is a clear difference in breast cancer medical examination and treatment between specialized and general hospitals. It is therefore necessary to develop guidelines for the standardization of breast cancer examination and treatment. Several guidelines have been published, such as those of the Japanese Breast Cancer Society and National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the recommendations for postoperative systemic treatment of St. Gallen. They are useful to disseminate standard therapy for patients with breast cancer. They include indicators such as adaptations of breast-conserving surgery, systemic chemoendocrine therapy, postoperative surveillance, etc. However, the discretion of an individual physician should not be limited by specific guidelines. In clinical practice various guidelines and new evidence should be considered, along with the status of each medical institution and each patient's philosophy.