Evaluation of routine follow-up after radical operation for breast carcinoma was focused on 81 women with recurrence. They were grouped according to whether the recurrence was detected at planned control examination (routine group), at examination between planned control dates (non-routine group) or in patients without routine control (non-follow-up group). Most of the recurrences were diagnosed at non-routine visits. The disease-free interval showed no significant difference between these three groups. The routine follow-up seemed to have no effect on survival. The interval from operation to detection of recurrence was less than three years in 75% of the cases. The average number of routine hospital visits preceding a diagnosis of recurrence was 118. Cancer of the second breast was found in four patients. The routine follow-up programme thus did not seem to favour early detection of recurrence or to prolong survival. The influence of regular follow-up on the quality of life is discussed.