Microarray technology and its effect on breast cancer (re)classification and prediction of outcome

First paragraph (this article has no abstract)

With screening mammography becoming more widely used throughout Europe, a growing proportion of women diagnosed with breast cancer present with earlier disease stages. Although these women can enjoy long-term survival, 20%–30% will relapse and die from their disease. There is, however, a great deal of controversy related to the optimal definition of a low/minimal versus a moderate/high risk of relapse for women with node negative breast cancer. Many oncologists rely on the guidelines issued by experts following consensus conferences [1]. Consequently, only 15% to 20% of patients are assigned to a "low/minimal risk" subset and this may result in many women with early breast cancer being over-treated – a phenomenon that not only exposes these women to unnecessary toxicity, but also increases the economic burden of this frequent disease on society.