Breast cancer facts By Elizabeth Margerum, Outpost Contributor In this package BBC event How to do a self exam   Breast cancer is the leading cause of death of women ages 15-54 world wide. Rates are highest in industrialized countries. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United states. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. It effects 1 in 8 women. All women are at risk for breast cancer. The identified "risk factors" for breast cancer (such as heredity and reproductive history) are associated with less than 40% of the cases. There are 1.8 million women in this country who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 million who do not know they have the disease. The incidence of breast cancer has more than doubled over the past 30 years. The current methods of detection, physical examination and mammography, are imperfect at best. TOP Outpost | Metro | Lifestyle | Travel | Dining | Outdoors Specials | Links | About us | Mail us copyright 04/17/98 Nevada Outpost http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost