Breast Cancer Information

• In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimates that 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer (Stages I-IV) will be diagnosed among women in the United States, with 40,170 deaths.
• There will be approximately 62,280 new cases of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ, Stage 0), the non-invasive, earliest form of breast cancer.
• Incidence rates for female breast cancer dropped from 2001 through 2004. This decline is possibly related to a drop in the use of hormone replacement therapy as well as the recently reported drop in screening mammography.
  Note: In new research reported in April 2008, the NCI reports that while the rate of invasive breast cancer decreased significantly in Caucasian women by the end of 2003, the incidence rates did not change significantly for African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, or Asian American/Pacific Islander women. It is thought that the widespread discontinuance of the menopausal hormone use had a greater effect on Caucasians.
• In men, the ACS estimates 1,910 new cases in 2009, with 440 deaths.
• Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
• Approximately 5% to 10% of breast cancers can be attributed to genetic predisposition; 20% to 30% of women with breast cancer have a family member with the disease.
• Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women (excluding skin cancer). Worldwide, more than a million cases of breast cancer will be detected each year, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France.
• In her lifetime, 1 out of 8 women will develop breast cancer.
• One out of 210 breast cancer cases occur in women under the age of 40.
• Overall breast cancer incidence rates are lower in African-American women than in white women. However, African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer.
• Asian, Hispanic and American Indian women have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer incidence and mortality.

This information is from American Cancer Society. Click here to learn more.