[A new approach to breast cancer screening]

We tested, in the Province of Liege, an original approach that tends to individualize mass screening for breast cancer considering breast density and the notion of higher risk. We compared the previous recommendations (January to June 2012) in the age ranges of 40-49 years (n = 1.730) and 70-74 years (n = 286) to the new recommendations (June 2012 - December 2014) in the age ranges of 40-49 years (n = 11.123) and 70-74 years (n = 2.008). With the new recommendations, 38 % of women aged 40 to 49 years will benefit from a biennial invitation to screening due to a mainly greasy nature of their breasts (BI-RADS 1 and 2), while 11 % are classified BI-RADS 3 and 1 % BI-RADS 4 and are invited to perform an ultrasound to increase the screening sensitivity. A complete breast screening is offered to 6 % of women aged 40-49 years in view of a positive family history, and to 0.3 % of women aged 40-49 years and 8 % of women 70-74 years with a higher risk personal history. This individualized approach of mass screening is easily feasible from a practical viewpoint and the detection rate of breast cancers is increased.