[The epidemiology of breast neoplasms]

In an epidemiologic study the risks of breast cancer were assessed. An evaluation of the distribution of different tumor stages revealed that more information, in a larger sense more civilization, workship and the life in town makes women more curious and brings them to go sooner to the doctor. A lack of information correlates with more advanced stage of tumor. Significantly more childless women suffer of breast cancer, but a high number of children is no protection. In women with 3 and more children yet more advanced stages were seen. This may be interpreted by isolation, lack of information and distress. A significantly high number of breast cancer patients lost one of their parents by death before the age of 20, which confirms the psychosomatic theory of cancerogenesis (overcoming of the "Objektverlust" in early childhood). The incidence of depressive states before the onset of the disease is significantly higher. A reduced capacity to communicate was also observed. The exploration of sexual behaviour showed more frequently a reduced sexual activity correlated to cohabitarche, number of partners, alibidimia, unwanted pregnancy and masturbation. The ability of adequate sexual life was deeply disturbed by disease and therapy. Following primary therapy intelligent guidance of the patient may avoid occurrence of disturbances of sexual communication.