Breast Cancer: The Second Biennial Louisiana Cancer Conference, New Orleans, January 22-23, 1958

This report of the Second Biennial Louisiana Cancer Conference is truly a mine of up-to-date, succinctly presented information on all aspects of the problem of breast cancer. Its epidemiology is particularly well discussed by Day. The doubtful relationship of cancer to benign breast disease is emphasized, the increased incidence and drop in mortality is well defined, and the inverse relationship between breast and cervix cancer is established. Especially interesting is the discussion of familial incidence, with the lack of evidence for a milk factor. Epidemiologic studies of the type now under way by Wynder and Segi in Japan, where the disease is relatively rare, are clearly desirable.

McDonald's discussion of the biological variability of breast cancer should be read by every cancer worker, clinical or otherwise. He shows in beautifully documented form that 20% of patients have slowly growing benign disease, easily curable; that 55% show remote metastases before the