Development of mammography and breast services in a community hospital

The growth and development of mammography and related breast services in one community hospital are chronicled and described. With mammography providing the initial stimulus, substantial growth, diversification, and sophistication in diagnosis and treatment of breast disease have developed. The achievement of a cooperative and mutually supportive relationship among radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons committed to the goal of early detection of potentially curable breast cancer has succeeded in identifying increasing numbers of such lesions. The more frequent employment of breast-sparing surgical procedures and the encouraging survival rates in patients detected and treated for these early lesions represents an important contribution to the care of these women. Improvement in the detection of early breast cancer can be achieved by community radiologists, whether in private hospitals or office-based practices.