The biologic aspects of cancer of the breast: a challenge

The crude incidence rate for cancer of the breast far exceeds that for any other type of cancer found in either sex. In women it is nearly twice the rate for the next most common malignant disease found in both men and women. The percentage of patients with localized disease has gradually increased but now is approaching a plateau. There is a definite increase in the incidence of breast cancer is premenopausal women which counterbalances the better results with reference to age-specific death rates. The absolute survival rate indicates that mortality rates continue to be "above normal" for a considerable period beyond the five-year point. It is important, therefore, to study the challenge which confronts us, to keep in mind the natural history of the disease, to review the known high-risk factors and tumor-host relationships, and to evaluate continually all available diagnostic and therapeutic measures. These measures include those not used in routine practice, and especially those involving new concepts.