Abstract:
One in nine women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. There was a 45% increase in the incidence of breast cancer from 1960-1990, and only a small portion of this increase was likely to have resulted from increased screening (1). The scientific community has developed lifesaving diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures and pharmaceuticals, but a way to prevent the disease has not been found. The, key is an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the neoplastic process. Until then, the incidence of breast cancer will continue to rise.The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) system provides a means of studying the genetic and epigenetic factors in the development of breast cancer. For many years, the MMTV-induced neoplasia in mice has provided an excellent model system for the study of breast cancer in humans. The role of the virus has given an important insight into many avenues of cancer research.