Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.
It also occurs in men - about one man for every 100 women affected. In 2000, it is estimated that 182,800 women and 1,400 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, equaling about one new case every three minutes. Further, it is estimated that 41,000women and 400 men will die from breast cancer in 2000. Endocrine factors are crucial in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, as indicated by the ration of females to males. Breast cancer is more common among women who had their first menstrual period at an early age, their first full-term pregnancy at a late age, and menopause at a late age.