Breast Cancer: An Overview of Factors Determining the Onset and Development ofthe Disease

Overview

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. The number of affected individuals is raising and theage at the onset has shifted towards younger age groups. Therefore, it is of great importance to improve primary andsecondary prevention of breast cancer. New techniques of molecular biology significantly increased our under-standing about the onset and progression of especially familial breast cancer. Further research in areas of moleculargenetics and epidemiology is needed to find reliable diagnostic tools for screening of population groups to identifyindividuals at high risk of breast cancer. The follow up of interaction of various predisposing genes and environmentalfactors in breast cancer pathogenesis is of considerable public health importance as well. Some of risk factors coveringareas of lifestyle and genetics are listed in this review as well as a survey of screening approaches and future prospects.

Key words:
prevention, genes, populations, screening.