Chemoprevention of breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. Approximately 210,000 new cases are reported annually in the United States, and there are about 1.2 million incident cases [1]. Globally, the incidence is rising rapidly, coincident with rising socioeconomic development, as exemplified in Southeast Asia. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer have resulted in an important but modest reduction in mortality [2]. Furthermore, despite data implicating diet and other environmental risk factors discussed in this and other chapters, no specific lifestyle changes have yet been shown to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer. It is thus logical to explore chemoprevention as a way to address this urgent public health issue. © 2010 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.