序二

Breast cancer is regarded as one of the most common malignant tumors in women.The incidence is increasing significantly in China.It has become a severe threat to women's health.It is critical to prevent its occurrences and progress at present time.According to the statistics in Chinese Anti-Cancer Association，it indicates the incidence in breast cancer in this country has become one of the highest in recent years.The incidence of breast cancer is increasing 3% annually.The age of the suffered population is getting younger.Although the incidence in urban areas is higher than the rural areas，the incidence and mortality are much higher in rural areas.The mortality rate in urban areas is approximately 20%，while in rural areas it climbs to about 40%.With the breast cancer screening and new treatment interventions，the mortality rate of breast cancer has dramatically dropped in western country in contrast to the situation in China for past 20 years.So，it is urgent for Chinese people to take efforts to improve the prevention and treatment in breast cancer.

For the past half century，it has made great progressesin the basic and clinical research in the field of breast cancer，which also helped the new therapeutic interventions.A large numbers of basic studies and clinical trials have helped us better understanding，preventing and treating this culprit.The developments in human genomics，bioinformatics，proteomics and molecular biology are providing useful tools to fight against this malicious disease.The concepts and methods in treatment have changed a lot in recent years.The concepts in maximally tolerable treatment has shifted to minimal and precise treatment.The methods in surgical cutting have moved to comprehensive treatments with chemotherapy，radiotherapy，immunotherapy and etc.Surgical treatment also changed from conventionally radical mastectomy to recent breast-conserving surgery with sentinel lymph node biopsy.The third generation aromatase inhibitors offered more options in Endocrinological therapy.

Although the diagnosis，treatment and survival rates in breast cancer have made great progress，the levels and qualities vary a lot across different regions or hospitals.It might be due to the depth of the understanding in treatment concepts，methods and evidence-based medicine.(https://www.daowen.com)

So，it is a long way to go to compile a good book in regard to the domestic situation and local people.A good book should include both traditional knowledge and recent advancements.

Michael Zhao，MD