[Stages in prevention of breast neoplasms. Organization of standard computerized operative programs: preliminary...

Bearing in mind the single or combined action of epidemiological factors influencing the natural history of the disease, the value of a survey method for rationally and significantly defining the potential degree of carcinogenesis of breast neoplasias in a selected population is tested. The method is designed to diagnose neoplastic development in its initial stages by strictly codified screening with the obvious aim of improving the survival rate. The need for a computer processed programme into which the various epidemiological and statistical variables are fed is underlined. The organisation and operation of such a service involves various problems in the identification, selection and processing of data. A provisional outline of the organisation of the survey is given, demonstrating the value of this method which will, in the near future, become irreplaceable in cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness terms.