Breast Cancer

Carcinoma of the breast is a major lethal cancer in females in the Western world, on a par with lung and colon cancer. Most cases occur in postmenopausal women, but a significant number of younger women are afflicted, often in families with a hereditary predisposition. Known risk factors include the length of the life-time exposure to estrogens, ionizing radiation, cigarette smoking, and a high-fat diet.