[What sociomedical significance has the mortality from breast cancer for a mammographic preventive strategy?].

Mortality is seen as the most significant criterium for the prognosis of the disease in a population and with respect to the effectiveness of prophylactic and therapeutic measures. The extraordinary high-mortality from breast carcinoma causes more psychological strain for women in working age. Breast carcinoma is the most frequent cause of death between the ages of 40 and 60 in the population of the GDR. Relevant data are the sex and age related mortality. From its reduction the cost and benefit for secondary prevention and especially of mammography can be evaluated.