Expanding horizons in breast and prostate cancer prevention and early detection. The 1992 Samuel C. Harvey Lecture

Breast cancer and prostate cancer, the most common cancers in American women and men, respectively, are major public health concerns. Investigations into the prevention and early detection of breast and prostate cancer include research on the potential impact of diet, particularly dietary fat, on breast cancer risk; the chemoprevention of breast cancer using tamoxifen and N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide(4-HPR); the importance of mammography in early detection of breast cancer; the potential of finasteride in preventing or retarding the progression of early-stage prostate cancer; and improved detection of prostate cancer by combining various screening modalities. The importance of transferring information gained though such research to the health care community cannot be overemphasized. Further, it is critical that cancer prevention and detection education be built into the curricula of leading medical and biomedical institutions. Education is key to developing a strong and vigorous cancer prevention and early detection research program.