Onkológia 2/2009

Breast cancer epidemiology

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in females and the second leading cause of cancer death among women. In terms of its global burden, breast cancer ranks second in incidence and fifth in mortality among all cancers, with estimates of 1.151 mill. new cases and 411 thousand deaths in the year 2002. Although understanding of the causes of breast cancer has improved substantially over the past 50 years, few of the known risk factors are modifiable in light of existing societal norm. Hence, to reduce the global burden of breast cancer during the 21st century, it will be necessary to identify and implement novel strategies for prevention as well as to uncover other important environmental and genetic factors involved in the etiology of this disease.

Keywords: breast cancer, incidence, mortality, survival, clinical stages