[Evaluation of individual breast cancer screening in the Alpes-Maritimes]

In the framework of the mass breast cancer screening program in the Alpes-Maritimes, a study was carried out among the radiologists to assess individual breast cancer screening, defined as mammography among women without clinical symptom or personal history of breast or genital cancer, outside an organized program. The survey was carried out in 1994; all private and public radiology clinics recorded all mammography information during one week at two different periods. Among women aged 50 to 69 years, the population targeted by mass screening program, the proportion of individual breast cancer screening among all mammographies was 31.8% and was similar to that of the organized programme. A steady evaluation of individual breast cancer screening is necessary when two ways of screening are concomitant, the aim being to substitute mass screening for individual screening.