While incidences of breast cancer rise dramatically in older women, breast cancers still make up a high proportion of all cancers in younger women. National Cancer Registry data show that 35% of breast cancer cases occur in women in the 50-64 year age group. Because the screening programme deals only with women in the 50 to 64 year old age range and only those who have no symptoms, the great majority of women with breast cancer will continue to be diagnosed and treated outside the screening programme. For this reason and because of the need to investigate and treat the large and increasing number of women with breast symptoms due to benign conditions, it is necessary to develop and support both the symptomatic and screening services to ensure a comprehensive cancer service for women.