[The epidemiology and etiology of breast cancer]

Continuous increase of incidence of breast cancer in the last decades lead to a maximum position concerning morbidity and mortality in malignant diseases of women. Fatality of the disease couldn't be decreased, despite improved methods of health education, diagnostics and therapy so that further on early detection is of particular importance. By extensive clinical and epidemiological studies multifactorial genesis of breast cancer and the influence of different risk symptoms could be secured. The etiologically significant endo- and exogenic components have such a differentiated and complex effect that formation of risk groups is still in discussion. Considering special endocrine, genetic and environmental factors it is possible to define groups of patients whose morbidity risk is much increased. Registration and prophylactic care of such risk groups seems to be of advantage and could enable an improvement of early detection rate.