ABSTRACT
There is still no consensus as to the most appropriate way in which to treat the 24,500 women who develop breast cancer in the United Kingdom each year. Despite the large sums of money spent on research throughout the world, a really major breakthrough in terms of cure still eludes us. There is no firm evidence that different surgical policies increase survival and the value of adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for some women remains uncertain. Two things at least are clear. First, there are few topics that arouse so much controversy ampng clinicians. Second, this background of uncertainty does little to inspire hope and confidence in those women unfortunate enough to receive a diagnosis of breast cancer. If the supposed experts cannot agree then how can a woman make a truly informed decision about treatment options?
