Breast cancer screening in the canton of Wallis (Switzerland): development and results after six years

A breast cancer screening programme was implemented in 1999 in the alpine canton of Wallis, Switzerland (population of 280,000 inhabitants). All women aged 50–70 are invited biennially and free of charge. In this decentralized setting, mammographies and first readings are made in 11 accreditated centres/institutes. The second and third readings, as well as the administrative tasks, are provided by the screening centre located in the capital city. Radiographers and radiologists attended a specific teaching in mammography screening before joining the programme. The European guidelines are the reference for quality…