[Mammography screening in Germany. Current results and future challenges]

The concept of mammography screening is based on the expectation that early diagnosis in a preclinical tumor stage enables less invasive treatment with a better prognosis than detection in advanced tumor stages. Mammography screening was implemented in European countries after results from large randomized controlled trials showed that regular screening led to a significant reduction in breast cancer mortality by 25-30 %. Recently, a major review of breast cancer screening services in Europe concluded that the benefits of screening clearly outweighed the disadvantages. In comparison to other European screening nations the German mammography screening program is relatively new. The challenge to prove the effectiveness by reduction in mortality still has to be solved. Continuous evaluation and optimization concerning the quality of structure, processes and results already confirm the high quality of the nationwide German screening services.