INTRODUCTION It is estimated that by the end of 2002 asmany as 203,500 new cases of invasive breastcancer will have been diagnosed in the UnitedStates. Breast cancer is not only the mostcommonly occurring cancer in women, it isthe second leading cause of cancer deaths. 1 Presently, all women in the United Statesbear a one in eight lifetime risk of developingbreast cancer. Some areas are known to havean even greater risk. Lifetime risk is definedas the probability that an individual willdevelop the disease or die from it in thecourse of her lifetime. Statistically, 99% ofpeople who develop breast cancer are female.Approximately 1 out of 150 cases of breast cancer is male. In the United States, whitewomen have the greatest risk of developingbreast cancer; however, African-Americanwomen are more likely to die of it. 2 The five- year survival rate for localized breast cancer is96% but is only 21% for stage IV metastaticbreast cancer. 3 Fortunately, breast cancer rates have leveled off. The mortality rate, orthe number of people who die from the dis-ease, is also decreasing. These successes canbe attributed to early detection and improvedtreatments. 4 Healthcare professionals play a vital role in helping women understand theirrisk factors, the importance of early detectionstrategies, and managing patients’ care alongthe continuum of treatment and recovery.

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