Breast Cancer rarely affects men, but is the most frequent type of cancer among women.  The American Cancer Society projects that 2,030 men will be newly diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, rising 1.1%.  However, 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer for women and 62,030 cases of newly diagnosed breast cancer in situ for women are estimated.  Over 8% of the population of women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.  Women have a 13.22% chance of developing breast cancer.

Reports show an increase in diagnosis.  These newly found cases are not necessarily indicative of a rise in breast cancer, but are significantly affected by the uprise in mammography, which detects breast cancer in its early stages.  The earlier the cancer is detected, the easier it is eradicated.  Since there are no symptoms of early breast cancer, breast self-exams (BSE) and mammograms play a crucial role in detection.

Removal of the breast, a radical mastectomy, is rarely performed today, although most women with breast cancer will undergo surgery.  Thanks to mammography, death rates due to breast cancer have been steadily decreasing; but 40,910 women are still projected to die in 2007 due to the effects of breast cancer.

The American Cancer Society lists the routine use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) as a risk factor for cancer, and its use is discouraged by the US Preventative Services Task Force.  Consuming the equivalent of two alcoholic drinks a day increases a woman's chance of acquiring breast cancer by as much as 21%, but surprisingly, studies have shown that tobacco use has no effect on breast cancer.  However, since lung cancer surpasses breast cancer in deaths, smoking should still be avoided.  Genetics and a family history of breast cancer play a role, as well as higher doses of radiation and high breast tissue density.  Risks also include recently taking oral contraceptives, not having children, never having breastfed a child, and having a full-term pregnancy after the age of 30.  Obesity and lack of physical activity play a role, and the death rate is higher for obese women who suffer from breast cancer.

It was estimated in 2002 that 2.3 million women with a history of breast cancer were alive, some successful conquerors of the disease, and others still battling its assault.  Tamoxifen and Raloxifene have been effective in treating invasive breast cancer in post-menopausal women.  Surgery removes the cancer from the breast and the lymph nodes; radiation destroys the cancer cells, and systemic therapy works to decrease the size of the tumor, making breast saving surgery more plausible for those with large tumors.  The journal "Cancer" reported in July 2007 new systemic therapy that increased longevity in advanced patients.  Herceptin (trastuzumanb), previously believed to be effective only in late stage cancer, has now been shown to help both early stage and late stage cancer patients.  The survival rate for all cancers has increased at least 15% over the last seven years.  Breast Cancer is not without hope.