Care of Women

THERE is growing concern among general prae¬ titioners and others about the maintenance and, where possible, the improvement of the standard of primary health care (Hodgkin, 1973; Marson et al., 1973). This study is in part an attempt to contribute to a discussion of what constitutes the optimal initial management of the patient presenting with breast symptoms, with the co-operation of a group of general praetitioners concerned about high quality of care and prepared to participate in a clinical audit. Current discussions about introducing breast cancer screening make it appropriate to consider existing breast cancer services. A study of some aspects of hospital services for breast cancer patients has already been reported (Bywaters and Knox, 1976), but most patients with breast problems are seen only by their general practitioner.