A view of breast cancer management in the United Kingdom in 1995 and the year 2000

This paper endeavours to contrast the modes of presentation and techniques used in diagnosis and management policies of a 40-year-old woman with breast cancer at present, and as it is likely to be in the year 2000. An attempt is made to review the situation as it occurs across the UK at present, followed by an attempt to forecast how a similar patient is likely to be managed in the year 2000. The nature of the task inevitably involves generalizations, suppositions, hypotheses, informed guesswork and sheer speculation. The challenge is to stimulate thought and discussion among breast clinicians, so that appropriate and desirable changes may be anticipated, and consensus sought in utilising resources to move toward them.