Breast cancer, affecting one in eight American women, is a modern epidemic. The increasing frequency of breast cancer is widely recognized. However, the wealth of compelling epidemiological data on its prevention is generally not available, and as a consequence, is largely unknown to the public. The purpose of this report is to review the epidemiological evidence of preventable causes of breast cancer. [Table: see text].
Keywords: Breast cancer epidemic; Breast cancer susceptibility window; Breast feeding; Delayed childbearing; Hormone replacement therapy; Induced abortion; Levonorgestrel; Oral contraceptives.