Breast cancer screening: early recognition.

The epidemic of breast cancer and the availability of tools to increase early detection and decrease mortality require care and diligence on the part of every physician directly caring for patients. With the widespread implementation of managed care, primary care physicians are in the best position to recommend breast cancer screening. Educational programs to emphasize the primary care physician's role in breast cancer prevention and detection, to improve physical examination skills, and to implement office systems to facilitate screening should be available to primary care physicians, and may have a major impact on breast cancer mortality in the future.