To unify and publicise the results of scientific research and increase contacts among scientists interested in cancer and other diseases of the breast. To coalesce and standardise the quality of patient care in Europe by identifying widely accepted guide-lines for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. To elaborate proposals for European Health Authorities for the improvement of the control of breast cancer. To foster postgraduate educational programmes in Mastology at the national and international levels. These aims arise from an awareness that diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases, and in particular breast cancer, are approached in widely different ways in the various areas of Europe. It was also perceived that there is a need to provide a channel for the wider diffusion of basic research programmes, which either by way of screening the population, or through education and information are urgently needed. Diversity in breast cancer therapy exists even between the big specialised centres and the general hospitals in various countries. Such differences in standards are related to different cultural and scientific backgrounds, as well as the disparity in availability of technical means - for instance radiotherapy centres - or specialist competence, as well as to a lack of treatment planning. Furthermore, the collection and analysis of clinical data for statistical use is not uniform, making it often impossible to compare the wide variety of experience and expertise existing in Europe.