Breast Cancer Facts
*In 2008, 182,460 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer (1 every 3 minutes); 40,480 will die (1 in every 13 minutes). In men, 1990 will develop breast cancer and 450 will die.
*Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women between the ages of 40-59.
*When breast cancer is confined to the breast, the 5 year survival is over 95%.
*The mortality rate from breast cancer could be decreased by 30% if every woman over 50 was informed about and followed the guidelines of breast cancer early detection.
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| Q: | What is a woman’s single most important risk for developing breast cancer? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | Beside being female, age is a woman’s single most important risk factor for developing breast cancer. The increase in incidence rates since 1990 are predominant in women 50 and older. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: | What is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: | What is the number of women in the U.S. living with breast cancer? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | Approximately 3 million women in the United States are living with breast cancer; 2 million who have been diagnosed and an estimated 1 million who do not yet know they have the disease. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: | Where does Breast Cancer rank among cancer deaths? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | Breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in women (after lung cancer). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: | What is the number of new cases of breast cancer expected to occur among women in the U.S. this year? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | An estimated 211,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 58,490 new cases of in situ breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U. S. this year. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: | What is the estimated number of new cases of breast cancer expected in men this year in the U.S.? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | An estimated 1,690 new cases of breast cancer is expected in men this year in the U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: | What percentage of people diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | Only 10% of people diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of the disease. Over 90% of the individuals who develop breast cancer have no family history. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: | What is the estimated number of new cases of breast cancer that will be diagnosed in Florida this year? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | It is estimated that 13,430 new cases of breast cancer in women will be diagnosed this year in Florida and that 2,570 will die of this disease. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: | How can you show your support in helping end Breast Cancer? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | Purchase the “End Breast Cancer” license plate, call 888-END-IT-NOW. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: | When you purchase your license plate, where does the $25 go? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | The money goes directly to the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation for research and education grants in Florida. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: | For what types of research does the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation award grants? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A: | Types of research includes: basic, clinical and translational breast cancer research, epidemiological studies of breast cancer, research on links between breast cancer and the environment, psycho-immunological research, innovative awards and ideas grants. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Facts About Breast Cancer in the United States: Year 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- A woman living in the United States has a 12.28% or 1 in 8 probability of developing invasive breast cancer sometime during her lifetime. - Excluding cancer of the skin, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. - Breast cancer ranks second as a cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer.) - An estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women. - An estimated 1990 new cases of breast cancer are expected in men. - An estimated 40,930 deaths (40,480 women and 450 men) are expected this year. - Death rates from breast cancer have steadily decreased in women since 1990, with larger decreases in women younger than 50 (a decrease of 3.3% per year), than in those 50 years and older (a decrease of 2% per year). The decrease in breast cancer death rates represents progress in both earlier detection and improved treatment. Mammography can detect breast cancer at an early stage when treatment may be more effective and survival is more likely. Numerous studies have shown that early detection saves lives and increases treatment options. - No one knows the exact causes of breast cancer, but research has shown that women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop the disease. However, it is important to keep in mind that most women who have known risk factors do not get breast cancer. - Only about 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be linked to genetic risk factors (mutations in certain genes.) - Most women with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. In fact, except for growing older, most women with breast cancer have no clear risk factors. In Florida: - An estimated 11,850 new cases of breast cancer in women will be diagnosed and 2,760 will die from this disease. - Average annual age-adjusted rates for breast cancer in Florida per 100,000 persons: Incidence rate: 119.7 - National average: 125.3 RACE / ETHNICITY Cancer occurrence and survival is influenced by economic, social, and cultural factors, as well as biological and inherited differences. Incidence and death rates from breast cancer are lower among women of other racial and ethnic groups than among white and African American women. The following figures show the female breast cancer incidence and mortality rates by race and ethnicity, age-adjusted per 100,000 persons:
African American - Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among African American women. - Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among African American women, surpassed only by lung cancer. - The incidence of breast cancer is lower in African American women than in white women. Nevertheless, the mortality rate is higher compared to white women. - Factors that contribute to the higher death rates among African American women include differences in access to and utilization of early detection and treatment, risk factors that are differentially distributed by race or socioeconomic status, or biologic differences associated with race. In addition, there is evidence that aggressive tumor characteristics are more common in African American women than in white women. - Breast cancer death rates among African American women declined after 1991. However, the decrease was larger in women under age 50 than in women 50 and older. The steady decline in female breast cancer mortality has been attributed to improvements in both early detection and treatment. - An estimated 19,010 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women. - An estimated 5,830 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women. Hispanics - A Hispanic woman living in the United States has a 9.23% or 1 in 11 probability of developing invasive breast cancer sometime during her life. - Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Hispanic women. - Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. In contrast, the leading cause of cancer death in non-Hispanic women is lung cancer. - Breast cancer death rates among Hispanic women have declined, similar to the decrease seen in non-Hispanic white women. - The breast cancer incidence rate in Hispanic women is about 40% lower than that of non-Hispanic white women. Nevertheless, Hispanic women are about 20% more likely to die of breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women diagnosed at similar age and stage. Hispanic women are more likely to be diagnosed with larger breast tumors than non-Hispanic white women. Differences in mammography utilization and delayed follow-up of abnormal screening results may contribute to this difference. - An estimated 14,300 Hispanic women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer. - An estimated 1,740 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur among Hispanic women. NOTES Cost of cancer It is estimated by the National Cancer Institute that approximately $8.1 billion is spent in the United States each year on treatment of breast cancer. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate overall costs for all cancers in 2007 at $219.2 billion: $89.0 billion for direct medical costs and $130.2 billion for lost productivity due to illness and premature death. NIH’s total funding for all cancer research in FY 2007 was $5,643 million. NIH’s funding in FY 2007 for the four most common types of cancer, compared to the respective mortality rate:
ACS Breast Screening Guidelines - Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40. The age at which screening should be stopped should be individualized by considering the potential risks and benefits of screening in the context of overall health status and longevity. - Clinical breast exam should be part of a periodic health exam about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and older. - Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam* is an option for women starting in their 20s. - Women at increased risk (e.g., family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should talk to their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (i.e., breast ultrasound and MRI), or having more frequent exams. - Screening MRI is recommended for women with an approximately 20%-25% or greater lifetime risk of breast cancer, including women with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer and women who are treated for Hodgkin disease. * In 2003 the American Cancer Society dropped its recommendation that all women perform breast self-exams (BSE) monthly. The reason for this change is that research has shown that a structured BSE is less important than self awareness. The Society still recommends that women be told of the potential benefits and limitations of BSE, and those women who wish to do it should receive instruction from the health care providers. |
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