Cancer policy at that time was less well developed than it is today, but there had been both widespread concern and innovative thinking about the issues, particularly in relation to breast cancer. This was given an impetus by the implementation of the Breast Screening Programme in the late 80s and early 1990s, which challenged assumptions about the quality of care available for patients with symptomatic disease. Scientific papers and the popular media had revealed evidence of substantial variations in the management of patients with breast cancer, and there were constructive discussions between professional and concerned lay people about what was wrong with services at that time, as well.
