Bioethics is a discipline which is of growing importance in the healthcare world.  However, up to now, interest has been centered on its clinical application rather than on the public health sector.  This monograph goes in to the subject in more depth, by studying prevention programs; specific reference is made to secondary prevention programs for the detection of breast cancer.  These types of programs offer benefits to the community as a whole but not always to the individual involved.  Several experts analyze non-maleficence and other basic ethical principals that arise when faced with such programs.