Mammography in the diagnosis of breast carcinoma: an evaluation of direct referral facilities for family practitioners.

Abstract

An enquiry has been made into the value of direct referral facilities for mammography by family practitioners. This study showed that provided that the limitations of mammography are appreciated, such a system is useful as a contribution to the management of benign breast disease and in the doubtful cases unlikely to have a carcinoma. The number of very early carcinomas discovered has been disappointing and the main use of this type of service has been in reinforcing clinical opinion.