NCI stats are quire reliable, the problem is what those reporting on the statss fail to mention. For example, it is easy to say (as they do) that today 1/2 of all BC cases are sucessfuly treated, and it sounds like great success has been made inthe fight against this disease. When, in fact, the numbers are skewed by the in-situ cancers that 20 years ago would have never been treated. The reality is the same numbers of women are dying today as 30 years ago (when adjusted for pop growth). However, even 30 years ago, there were BC cases taht were successfully treated with surgery.