Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in women, with a mortality rate
second only to lung cancer.
It’s estimated that 182,800 new cases of breast cancer
will be diagnosed in the United States during 2000 and 40,800 deaths will occur.1
Because
so many patients are affected by this disease, it’s essential that nurses be familiar with breast cancer
rates, risk factors, early detection, treatment, and ongoing research.