Breast cancer is one of the most frightening health problems for women in many countries. Today, one in eight women in the US is diagnosed with breast cancer. This rate is one in ten in European countries. The figures related to breast cancer can be listed as follows:

Between 1950 and 1970, 1 million women in the US died from breast cancer. This number is more than the number of deaths the US suffered in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In 1998, 1 million women were treated for breast cancer in Europe. By 2000, 1 million women worldwide will be newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Globally, one woman dies from breast cancer every 11 minutes. Globally, one woman is newly diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes.

According to statistics in the USA, an average of 184,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, and 44,000 of them die. Statistics in our country are inadequate! (Since we lack reliable statistics, it's estimated that there are roughly 40,000 breast cancer cases each year.)

However, due to economic and cultural factors, 80% of our country seeks medical attention at a late stage, while in the US, this rate is 30%. This increases our risk of breast cancer death.

These numbers may not hold much meaning because they are abstract concepts. However, if we stop and think for a moment, we'll undoubtedly recall a few acquaintances among our close circle, relatives, and friends who have experienced this problem. We must accept, however difficult it may be, that the problem is not as distant from us as we think.