The incidence of breast cancer is rising among women in many European countries, affecting up to 1 in 16 women. So far there is inconclusive evidence on the best public health strategies for the prevention and early detection of breast cancer. The Reproductive Health Strategy suggests the following objectives:

• strengthening comparative evidence for screening and early detection of breast cancer; and
• increasing women's knowlegde on risks and ability for self-examination.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the WHO focal point for this area of work.