Breast Cancer: Fast Facts
Reviewed By:
Martin E. Liebling, M.D., FACP
- In 2008, more than 182,000 new cases of breast cancer will be
diagnosed in women in the United States, according to the American
Cancer Society (ACS). These cases will be added to the already 2.5
million women in the U.S. with a history of breast cancer.
- Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most
common cancer among women. It accounts for nearly one in three
cancers diagnosed in women in the United States.
- After 35 years of age, white women have a higher incidence of
breast cancer than African-American women. African-American women,
however, have a slightly higher occurrence of the disease before
age 35.
- Breast cancer can develop in men but occurs at a much lower
rate than in women. In 2008, nearly 1,990 new cases of breast
cancer will be diagnosed in men in the United States.
- The ACS estimates the chances of a woman developing breast
cancer in her lifetime is one in eight. The odds of being diagnosed
with breast cancer increase as a woman ages.
- The death rates from breast cancer in women have declined since
1990. The decline is attributed to improvements in detection and
advances in treatment.
- The five-year survival rate among women with breast cancer
improves the earlier the stage of the cancer. For women whose
disease is diagnosed when it is localized, there is a 98 percent
survival rate. The rate decreases significantly if the disease has
spread to other areas of the body.
- On average, mammography will detect 80 to 90 percent of breast
cancers in women without symptoms. Regular mammograms are the
single most effective way to help detect early breast cancer.
- Women with a mother, sister or daughter affected by breast
cancer have a greater risk of developing the disease themselves.
Certain inherited genetic mutations, such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2
gene also increase the risk.
- The ACS recommends that all women age 40 and older have a
mammogram and clinical breast examination every year. Monthly
breast self-examinations are also recommended by the
organization.
- Most women with breast cancer will undergo some type of surgery
to remove the cancer from the breast. Surgery is often combined
with other treatments, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy
and hormone therapy.
- In 2008, about 40,480 women are expected to die from breast
cancer. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in
women.
- Based on the most recent data, 89 percent of women diagnosed
with breast cancer will be living 5 years after diagnosis and 80
percent will survive 10 years.
- There have been significant advances in the past decade in the
areas of breast cancer detection and treatment. Researchers
continue to search for a cure for this disease.
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