Epidemiology of breast cancer, descriptive and analytical review

The descriptive portion of this review explores briefly the historical literature for breast cancer. Also, it discusses occurrence, morbidity, mortality, personal risk factors, geographical distribution, effects of time and the latent period of breast cancer. The analytical portion of this review describes the role of genetics, viral and bacterial agents, glandular secretion and diet on the pathogenesis of breast cancer. In conclusion a variety of interrelated genetic, environmental and endocrine factors appear to be associated with increased risk of breast cancer, but no single factor or combination of variables presently known is sufficient to explain the etiology of this malignancy.