[Epidemiology and prevention of breast cancer]

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in females in Austria (25% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases). So far no comprehensive theory about etiology exists. Risk factors generally considered to be established are: demographic, reproductive and hormonal factors, diet, benign breast disease, familial aggregation and genetics. Most of the risk factors cannot be affected by primary prevention. Nevertheless women should be informed about cancer risk and lifestyle factors. At present secondary prevention through mammographic screening can reduce the impact of breast cancer morbidity and mortality. In Austria the reduction of advanced cancers at diagnosis, followed by a reduction of mortality rates is plausibly related to screening prevalence.