Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the utilization of follow-up of patients with breast cancer after primary treatment and to provide evidence for formulating follow-up strategy for Chinese patients with breast cancer. MethodA systematic random selection was made of 1 197 records out of 5 987 patients diagnosed with breast cancer from 1996 to 2000 in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital. Information of follow-up about 1 086 patients were retrieved and analyzed. Results Of those patients who were followed for more than five year, 34 out of 847 patients (4%) were fully compliant with the guidelines (14 scheduded visits in 5 years of follow-up). Patients received physical examinations during most of their follow-up visits (91.5%). Many patients received additional tests including chest X-rays (21.5%), ultrasound tests (22.3%), CTs (2.9%) and mammography (1.3%). 18 (38.3%) out of 47 patients with loco-regional recurrence or contra-lateral breast cancer and 18 (22.0%) out of 82 patients with distant metastasis were diagnosed during routine follow-up visits. ConclusionThe number of patients being fully compliant with follow-up is rather low. Further work was warranted on whether it is necessary to improve the attendance of follow-up of patients with breast cancer. The necessity of long-term follow-up of Chinese patients with breast cancer and suitable strategy deserves further investigation.