The Hungarian breast cancer mortality is above the European average. Because of the lack of effective primary prevention, the control has to be based on the improving results of treatment which is much more successful in the case of early detected cancers. Beyond the patients collaboration and the application of the recommended diagnostic protocols, the population based screening programs have high importance in achieving earlier diagnosis. This study aimed to describe the regional differences of mammography's application as an indicator of diagnostic and screening performance. The records of the outpatient services' reports containing the code for native X-ray examination of the breast were analysed in the period of 01/07/1998 to 30/04/2000. The age specific and the age standardised relative frequencies of mammographical examination were determined for the Hungarian counties and Budapest. The observed age specific frequency of mammography for the whole country was 17, 21, 11 and 4% for the age group of 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-74 years, respectively. The lowest observed values were 10 times smaller than the highest ones in every studied age group. The age standardised relative frequency of mammographical examination was higher than the national average in Tolna (2.52), Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén (1.48), Zala (1.41), Baranya (1.33), and Csongrád (1.27) counties and in Budapest (1.35). The described data demonstrates that the Hungarian practice of mammography is far from acceptable considering the frequency of application. On the other hand, it was also explored that serious geographical differences exist within the country. It seems that there are providers that can achieve relative successes in diagnosing the breast cancers in as early stage as it is possible. The evaluation and utilisation of the experiences of these providers could increase the efficacy of interventions organised to improve the Hungarian epidemiological status of breast cancer.