MEDtube Science 2014 - Occult breast cancer: a challenging diagnostic and therapeutic problem

Breast cancer (BC) is a major oncological problem in developed countries and also an increasing problem in developing countries. In European Union countries, BC was diagnosed in over 330 000 women in 2008 and 89 000 women died due to BC. In Poland, approximately 16 000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and over 5000 women died due to breast cancer in 2010. The incidence of breast cancer increases with age reaching its peak at 50-59 years. Eighty per cent of breast cancer occurs after the age of 50. The increase in mortality persisted in Poland until the mid-80s, followed by a stabilization of mortality rate at 15-16/ 105. Since the mid-90s of the last century there is a continuing decrease in mortality from breast cancer.