This section has been reviewed and approved by the PLWC Editorial Board, 11/04

In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer occurring in women (excluding cancers of the skin) and the second most common cause of death from cancer in women after lung cancer. Men can also develop breast cancer, but male breast cancer (add link to future rare cancer section) is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases.

If diagnosed at an early stage, breast cancer has an encouraging cure rate: up to 97% of women diagnosed with localized breast cancer will survive five years after their diagnosis. Even if the cancer is found at a more advanced stage, new therapies have enabled many people with breast cancer to experience the same quality of life as before their diagnosis.

http://www.peoplelivingwithcancer.org/plwc/MainConstructor/1,1744,_04-001-00_12-001043-00_17-001029-00_18-0025998-00_19-000-00_20-001-00_21-008,00.asp