About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast tissue divide and grow without normal control. It is a widespread and random disease, striking women and men of all ages and races. It is the most prevalent cancer in the world today, with about 1.3 million people diagnosed annually. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, and at this time, there is no cure.
But there is hope. Thanks to heightened awareness, early detection through screening, improved treatment methods and increased access to breast health services, people have a greater chance of survival than ever before.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure national website, komen.org, offers comprehensive information about breast cancer risk factors, early detection and screening, diagnosis and treatment. Developed in conjunction with the Harvard School of Public Health, the site offers a one-stop resource for all the latest information on the disease.
Statistics
Education and Early Detection Increase Survival
- There is no known cure for advanced breast cancer.
- Detection of breast cancer at an early stage provides a greater chance for a cure and more treatment options.
- When the disease is confined to the breast, the 5-year survival rate is more than 95%.
- More Caucasian women than African American women develop breast cancer. However, more African American women die of breast cancer.
- Approximately 80% of breast cancers occur in women 50 years and older. The mortality rate would decrease by 30% if every woman over 50 was informed and followed the early screening guidelines.
- National Statistics (2010 estimated)
In 2010, it was estimated that among U.S. women there would be:
•207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer (includes new cases of primary breast cancer among survivors, but not recurrence of original breast cancer among survivors)
•54,010 new cases of in situ breast cancer (includes ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), of those, about 85 percent were DCIS)
•39,840 breast cancer deaths
Breast Cancer in Hispanics/Latinas
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Hispanic/Latina women. Estimated incidence and mortality in 2007 (most recent data available) for Hispanic/Latina women were lower than for non-Hispanic white women and African American women [32].
| |
Hispanic/Latina
women
|
White
(non-Hispanic)
women
|
African American
women
|
|
Incidence (new cases)
|
85.1 per 100,000
|
133.6 per 100,000
|
120.7 per 100,000
|
|
Mortality (deaths)
|
14.6 per 100,000
|
22.2 per 100,000
|
31.4 per 100,000
|
Screening mammography rates among Hispanic/Latina women are now similar to rates among non-Hispanic white women [39]. However, in the past, Hispanic/Latina women were less likely to have regular screening and to get prompt follow-up for an abnormal mammogram [32,39,53]. Learn more about breast cancer screening among Hispanic/Latina women.
Breast Cancer in African American Women
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African American women. It is also the second leading cause of cancer death among African American women, exceeded only by lung cancer. In 2011, an estimated 26,840 new cases of breast cancer and 6,040 deaths are expected to occur among African American women [38].
Breast cancer incidence in African American women is lower than in Caucasian women. Breast cancer mortality, however, is 39 percent higher [38]. Although breast cancer survival in African American women has increased in recent decades, survival rates remain lower than among Caucasian women. From 1999-2006, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer among African American women was 78 percent compared to 90 percent among Caucasian women [38]. There are many possible reasons for this difference in survival. Factors that may all play a role include:
- Biologic and genetic differences in tumors
- Presence of risk factors
- Barriers to health care access
- Health behaviors
- Later stage of breast cancer at diagnosis
Breast cancer screening rates among African American women are similar to those among white women [39]. Learn more breast cancer screening among African American women.
- Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for women between the ages of 40 and 59.
- The majority of all breast cancers occur in women with no known risk factors.
- All women are at risk; risk increases with advancing age.
Education and Early Detection Increase Survival
- There is no known cure for advanced breast cancer.
- Detection of breast cancer at an early stage provides a greater chance for a cure and more treatment options.
- When the disease is confined to the breast, the 5-year survival rate is more than 95%.
- More Caucasian women than African American women develop breast cancer. However, more African American women die of breast cancer.
- Approximately 80% of breast cancers occur in women 50 years and older. The mortality rate would decrease by 30% if every woman over 50 was informed and followed the early screening guidelines.
Facts about breast cancer in men
Important Facts
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