Breast development occurs in distinct stages throughout a woman's life, first before birth, and again at puberty and during the childbearing years. Changes also occur to the breasts during menstruation and when a woman reaches menopause.

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, the most important thing for you to remember is that it is not a hopeless condition. Early detection and modern therapy with a combination of surgery, radiation, drugs, or hormones can help many patients.

According to the National Cancer Institute, when breast cancer is found early and is still localized, the relative survival rate (when measured at 5 years) is 97 percent.

Although the incidence of breast cancer is increasing - one out of eight women will develop breast cancer - mortality rates have remained fairly stable over the past several years due to early detection and improved treatment.