Breast Cancer Facts and Stats

Key Statistics:

• In 2010, an estimated 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in U.S. women.

• In addition to invasive breast cancer, 54,010 new cases of in situ breast cancer were diagnosed. Of these, about 85% were ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

• In 2010, an estimated 39,840 U.S. women died from breast cancer.

• The chance of getting breast cancer increases with age. Approximately 77% of women with breast cancer are over the age of 50 at the time of diagnosis.

• African American women have the highest mortality rate, followed by Caucasian, American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian American/Pacific Islander women.

• The overall mortality rate from breast cancer has decreased since 1990. The decline is attributed to earlier detection and improved treatments.
   
• When detected early, 5-year relative survival for localized breast cancer is 98%. For regional disease, it is nearly 84%. If the cancer has spread to distant organs, 5-year survival drops to 23%. Larger tumor size at diagnosis is also associated with decreased survival.

• As of January 2006, there were an estimated 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S. according to the National Cancer Institute.

Risk Factors: 

• Gender: Female gender is the most important risk factor for breast cancer. Men can develop breast cancer, but the risk for females is about 100 times greater.
   
• Age: The older a woman, the greater her chances of developing breast cancer. Most woman are over 60 years of age when diagnosed.

• Family history of breast cancer: Risk is increased for women whose close relatives have the disease. In general, the more biological relatives with breast cancer, especially relatives diagnosed before age 50, the higher a woman's risk.

• Genetic factors: Gene mutations strongly increase a woman's risk. An estimated 5% to 10% of all breast cancers are directly attributable to inherited gene mutations, most often to mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. In the U.S., BRCA mutations are more common in women of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, but they can occur in any racial or ethnic group.

• Personal history of breast cancer: A history of breast cancer in one breast increases the risk of developing cancer in the other breast by 3 to 4 times.

• Previous breast biopsy : There is a slight to strong increase in risk for women with certain types of abnormalities found with a breast biopsy, depending upon the type of abnormality.

• Dense breasts: Women whose mammograms show a large area of dense breast tissue are at higher risk for breast cancer. Dense breast tissue can also make it harder to detect breast cancer with mammography.

• Reproductive history: Certain reproductive factors slightly increase risk. These include giving birth to a first child after age 30 (or never having children), starting menstruation before age 12, and/or entering menopause after age 55.

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Using combined hormone therapy after menopause (estrogen and progesterone) increases risk for current or recent users, especially if used for longer than 2 to 3 years.

• Radiation therapy to the chest when young: Women treated with radiation to the chest for another cancer before age 30 are at increased risk for breast cancer. The risk is highest for those treated during adolescence, when the breasts were still developing.

• Being overweight: Excess weight, especially after menopause, has been shown to increase breast cancer risk.

• Alcohol: Compared with non-drinkers, women who drink alcoholic beverages are at increased risk. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.

• Other factors: Lack of physical activity may slightly increase risk. Exposure to certain environmental substances may also increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.

Risk Reduction:     

• For women at average risk, the emphasis is on regular screening and healthy lifestyle habits.

• Women at increased risk are advised to consider additional risk reduction strategies in consultation with their healthcare providers.

Screening Guidelines

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has not changed its 2003 screening recommendations for average risk women. The ACS advocates for annual screening mammography, beginning at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health. Clinical breast examination every three years is recommended for women in their 20s and 30s, and annually for women aged 40 and older. Breast self-exam is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women who choose to do BSE should receive instruction from their health providers. Women at increased risk for breast cancer may benefit from earlier initiation of screening, screening at shorter intervals, and screening with additional methods such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging.

In 2009, the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended that biennial screening mammography begin at age 50 for women at average risk. The Task Force states that the decision to start mammography screening before the age of 50 should be an individual one and take into account the patient's situation, including her values regarding the benefits and harms of screening. For older women, the USPSTF maintains that the current evidence is insufficient for assessing the additional benefits of screening mammography in women past age 74.

Similarly, with regard to clinical breast examination, the Task Force believes that there is insufficient evidence for assessing the additional benefits of clinical breast examination beyond screening mammography in women 40 years or older. The USPSTF recommends against clinicians teaching women how to perform breast self-examination (BSE), stating that evidence suggests that teaching BSE does not reduce breast cancer mortality.

References:

American Cancer Society (ACS). (2009). Breast cancer facts & figures 2009-2010. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011, from http://www.cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/BreastCancerFactsFigures/breast-cancer-facts--figures-2009-2010

American Cancer Society (ACS). (2010). Cancer facts & figures 2010. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011, from http://www.cancer.org/research/cancerfactsfigures/cancerfactsfigures/cancer-facts-and-figures-2010

American Cancer Society (ACS). (2011). Breast cancer: detailed guide. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011, from http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide

National Cancer Institute (NCI). (2009). What you need to know about breast cancer. Accessed Feb. 26, 2011, from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/breast

Saslow, D., Boetes, C., Burke, W., et al. (2007). American Cancer Society guidelines for breast screening with MRI as an adjunct to mammography. CA Cancer J Clin, 57(2):75-89.

Smith, R.A., Saslow,  D., Sawyer, K.A., et al. (2003). American Cancer Society guidelines for breast cancer screening: update 2003. CA Cancer J Clin, 53(3):141-69.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS). (2008, Aug). Screening to prevent cancer deaths. Preventing chronic diseases: Investing wisely in health. Accessed May 3, 2011, from http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/Prevention/pdf/cancer.pdf

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). (2009). Screening for breast cancer: U.S. preventive services task force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med, 151:716-726.

For additional information on breast cancer screening and diagnosis, please visit:

• Breast Cancer Detailed Guide (American Cancer Society)
• What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer (National Cancer Institute)

For information on cancer screening services for medically underserved women:

Breast and cervical cancer screening services are available to medically underserved women living in the United States through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). The program is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and provides access to free or low-cost screening for eligible women.

For women in California, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Cancer Detection Section (CDS) provides clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams and Pap tests to California's underserved women through the Cancer Detection Programs: Every Woman Counts (CDP: EWC). The program is funded by a federal grant and state tobacco tax revenue. 

Women who would like to find out if they qualify for the program may call 1-800-511-2300 Monday - Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. The CDP: EWC representative for your area may know of other low-cost screening programs that might be available to you. Regional Contractors are also your link to support groups, advocacy groups and the latest information on what's happening in your community.

Reviewed: January 11, 2012

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