[Informed choice: a challenge for the Dutch national breast cancer screening programme]

Abstract

Debates about the Dutch national breast cancer screening programme sometimes lead to polarised opinions as to its usefulness. This article aims to clarify the perspectives related to this discussion. Supporters and opponents agree that the screening programme has advantages for the general population, but inevitably also disadvantageous aspects. They differ in the weighting of collective advantages and disadvantages. More importantly, every woman who is invited is free to accept the invitation to participate or not. Ideally, she makes a deliberate, informed choice based on sufficient knowledge. The real challenge for professionals is to provide good, honest, balanced information and adequate support to women when making their decision whether or not to participate in breast cancer screening.