2008 Breast Cancer Statistics:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, except for non-melanoma skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8 (13% of women). It is estimated that in 2008 about 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. At this time there are slightly over 2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Women living in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world.

In addition to invasive breast cancer, carcinoma in situ (CIS) will account for about 62,030 new cases in 2008. CIS is noninvasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer. Breast cancer also occurs in men. An estimated 2,030 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2008.

Breast cancer incidence rates showed a rapid increase in the 1980s, although the rate of increase slowed in the 1990s, compared to the 1980s. In the years from 2001 to 2003, incidence rates decreased.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman’s death is about 1 in 33 (3%). In 2008, about 40,460 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in the United States. Death rates from breast cancer continue to decline, with larger decreases in women younger than 50. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment

A woman’s chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is:

• From age 30-39 . . . . . . 1 out of 229
• From age 40-49 . . . . . . 1 out of 68
• From age 50-59 . . . . . . 1 out of 37
• From age 60-69 . . . . . . 1 out of 26
• From age 70-85……….1 out of 8

Over 70% of Breast Cancer Cases occur in women with no known identifiable risk factors.

Source: American Cancer Society  

How does breast cancer affect…

African American Women

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in African American women (101.5 per 100,000)
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among African American women
• African American women have a higher breast cancer death rate (31.0 per 100,000) than women of any other racial or ethnic population

Ashkenazi Jewish Women

• Although all women are at risk for breast cancer, women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent (ancestors who came from Central or Eastern Europe) are at a higher risk.

Asian Americans

• Among Asian American or Pacific Islander women, breast cancer incidence (78.1 per 100,000) and mortality rates (11.0 per 100,000) are lower than Caucasian and African American women.
• Breast cancer is the leading cancer among Chinese (55 per 100,000), Filipino (73.1 per 100,000), Hawaiian (105.6 per 100,000), Japanese (82.3 per 100,000) and Korean (28.5 per 100,000) women. Incidence and mortality rates vary from group to group.
• The most frequent cause of cancer death among Filipina women (11.9 per 100,000) is breast cancer. However, aggregate data may mask the fact that for particular subgroups, such as immigrants, native Hawaiians, the economically disadvantaged and the elderly, breast cancer incidence and mortality risk may be higher.
• Only 48.5 percent of Asian and Pacific Islander women 50 years and older in the U.S. have had a mammogram or clinical breast examination within the last two years—the lowest rate of screening among all racial/ethnic groups.
• For Asian Americans who immigrated to the United States at least a decade ago, the risk of breast cancer is 80 percent higher than that of new immigrants. For those born in the U.S., the breast cancer risk is similar to that of Caucasian women.

Hispanics/Latinas

• 
  Hispanic/Latina women show lower breast cancer screening rates than non-Hispanic/Latina White women and tend to seek and attain health care services less frequently than other ethnic groups. However, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Hispanic/Latina women.
• An estimated 1,600 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur among Hispanics/Latinas this year.
• Studies also show that even though Hispanic/Latina women have lower breast cancer rates (83.5 per 100,000), they are more likely to die from the disease (17.2 per 100,000). This contradiction is due to the fact that Hispanic/Latina women are less likely to participate in mammography screening and more likely to be diagnosed at later stages of breast cancer.
• Studies consistently show that low income, low educational attainment, lack of health insurance, inability to speak English, lack of awareness of breast cancer risks and screening methods, acculturation level and lack of physician referral play important roles in the lower rates of screening utilization by Hispanic/Latina women.

Lesbians

Lesbians and Women who Partner with Women do have a greater risk of breast cancer than other women, but it is not because of their sexual orientation. Rather, it is linked to several risk factors and barriers for breast cancer such as never having children and not seeing a doctor on a regular basis. For many women, reproductive health issues are their main link to the health care system. Even when seeing a doctor about reproductive health, other health issues are often addressed, including having clinical breast exams or mammograms. But because fewer lesbians have children and therefore, do not seek routine health care, they may have fewer opportunities to have these important early detection tests for breast cancer. As a result, breast cancer may not be detected as early as possible among lesbians. When cancer is detected at an early stage, it can very often be treated successfully. One step lesbians can take is to find a doctor who is sensitive to their health issues, and to see that doctor on a regular basis - especially for clinical breast exams and mammograms.

Native Americans

A century ago, the occurrence of cancer in Native Americans was rare. However, the last two decades have seen substantial increases in both incidence (50.5 per 100,000) and mortality rates (12.4 per 100,000), and cancer now is recognized as a leading cause of death among Native American women. Although breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are lower for women in most Native American tribes than for Caucasians, the rate of death due to the disease has risen since the 1970s. Indeed, the 5-year breast cancer relative survival rate for American Indian women is reportedly the lowest of any racial or ethnic group in the country. Lack of access to and use of early detection services is believed to be a major contributor to this poor breast cancer survival. Without a doubt, greater awareness and utilization of mammography, clinical breast exam and breast self-exam screening methods could significantly reduce the mortality of breast cancer among Native Americans.

Older Women

All women are at risk for breast cancer. The two most significant risk factors are being female and getting older. The risk of developing breast cancer increases as you age. The majority of new breast cancers and breast cancer deaths occur in women aged 50 and older. Until more is known about preventing breast cancer, early detection offers the best defense against breast cancer.

Younger Women

Although not as common, younger women can also develop breast cancer. Less than 5 percent of all breast cancers occur in women under age 40. Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer under age 40 are more likely to have a BRCA1 or 2 genetic mutation. These genes are important in the development of breast cancer, and women who carry defects on either of these genes are at greater risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. If a woman carries a defective BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, she may have a 50 percent to 85 percent chance of developing breast cancer. So while the risk of breast cancer is generally much lower for younger women, there is still a high risk for some.

It is important for younger women to become familiar with how their breasts look and feel through monthly breast self-exams (BSE), beginning by age 20. The best time to perform BSE is just as your period ends. During BSE, if you discover a lump or notice any unusual changes in your breasts, see your health care provider for a clinical breast examination.

Pregnant Women

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in pregnant and postpartum women. It occurs in about 1 in 3,000 pregnancies. The detection of a lump may be hindered by the natural tenderness and enlargement of the breasts in pregnant and lactating women. It is important for pregnant and lactating women to practice monthly breast self-examination and to have clinical breast exams as part of a routine prenatal examination.

Men

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008 some 2,030 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in the United States. Breast cancer is about 100 times more common among women.

In 2008, about 450 men will die from breast cancer in the United States. Breast cancer accounts for about 0.22% (two tenths of a percent) of cancer deaths among men. The number of breast cancer cases relative to the population has been increasing in the last 20 years mainly due to increased use of mammography.

The prognosis for men with breast cancer was once thought to be worse than that for women, but this is not true. Based on looking at each stage, the survival rates are equal. In other words, men and women with each stage of breast cancer have a similar outlook for survival. S igns and symptoms of breast cancer in men include: nipple discharge (usually bloody), nipple inversion, breast lump, and occasionally, local pain, itching and pulling sensation. The survival rate of men and women is comparable by stage of disease at the time of diagnosis. However, men are usually diagnosed at a later stage because they are less likely to report any symptoms. Treatment of breast cancer is the same as treatment for female patients and usually includes a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and/or hormone therapy.

Data Source: American Cancer Society