Mammography screening in Germany: how, when and why?

It is well-known from several large randomized trials that regular mammography screening can reduce breast cancer mortality. While in many countries mammography screening programs have been in existence for quite some time, an organized population-based screening program is only now being implemented in Germany. In this review article, the different elements of a mammography screening program and their effect on the cost-benefit ratio are discussed and the planned German screening program is compared to the international programs. (orig.)