Breast cancer: current issues in diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Australia has changed in response to new technologies and cultural influences which have emphasized the importance of psychological and social aspects of breast cancer. In this review article, recent developments are examined in relation to current surgical practice. Changes in the incidence of breast cancer, the effect of mammographic screening on the outcome of treatment, the increasing use of breast-conserving surgery, the timing of surgery in relation to the menstrual cycle and the importance of risk factors for breast cancer are all considered. Breast cancer is a potentially curable disease. Early detection and conservative surgery provide a framework for disease control.