Breast cancer is extremely common among women. It’s main causation factor is genetic mutation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, but there are others suspected to be involved as well. The second major factor is age as the rates of incidence rise significantly with age. It is usually caught and diagnosed while still localized in an early stage. This is partly due to the fact that it is well-screened, and once women reach their 40s it is advised to get a mammogram every two years to check for signs of cancer. Screenings also allow pre-cancerous cells to be identified and treated. 

Treatment in early stages is often very effective. One type of treatment is surgical removal of malignant tissue (lumpectomy) or of the affected breast altogether (mastectomy). Chemotherapy and radiation are also common treatments. Often, treatment plans for more patients with more developed or extremely aggressive cases will include more than one method of treatment. One common issue is that women who are determined to need mastectomies often delay making the decision to go through with surgery or opt for riskier alternatives. For those who opt for non-surgical alternatives in such a situation, there is a higher chance of the disease recurring. Whichever path a patient chooses, deciding on and proceeding with a treatment quickly gives the best odds of success. 

Men represent less than 1% of the patient population for breast cancer while about 1 in 8 women will contract the disease in the US with a 5-year survival rate of over 99%. Even though the chances of getting breast cancer almost double if there is a family history of it, the vast majority (over 85%) of women afflicted have no family history. Black women have a higher mortality rate while asian and native americans have a lower risk. Ashkenazi Jews have a higher risk of contracting the disease due to higher mutation rates of the BRCA genes.