Breast cancer
How common is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women (after skin cancer).
1
Source:
American Cancer Society.
What are the key statistics for breast cancer?
September 2008. Available at http://www.cancer.org (accessed on 7 May 2009).
American Cancer Society.
What are the key statistics for breast cancer?
September 2008. Available at http://www.cancer.org (accessed on 7 May 2009).
There are about 2.5 million women living in the United States who have been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer.
1
Source:
American Cancer Society.
What are the key statistics for breast cancer?
September 2008. Available at http://www.cancer.org (accessed on 7 May 2009).
American Cancer Society.
What are the key statistics for breast cancer?
September 2008. Available at http://www.cancer.org (accessed on 7 May 2009).
Your chance of getting breast cancer depends on lots of things, including your age.
- Although women do die from breast cancer, many more women live with it. Each year, around 250,000 women are diagnosed with
breast cancer. Around 40,000 die from the disease.
Source:
American Cancer Society.
What are the key statistics for breast cancer?
September 2008. Available at http://www.cancer.org (accessed on 7 May 2009).
1 - Of the 250,000 women who are diagnosed with cancer each year, almost 68,000 will have cancer that hasn't spread beyond the
lining of the milk ducts of the breast. This is a very early type of cancer. It's called non-invasive or
in situ
Literally means "in position." The term can be used to describe a tumor that is in its natural or original position (for example, "carcinoma in situ").in situ This means that it has stayed in the spot where it started and hasn't spread further. - Breast cancer does happen in men, but it's rare. The National Cancer Institute thinks that there are around 1,700 new cases
of breast cancer in men every year.
Source:
Ries LAG, Eisner MP, Kosary CL, et al. (editors).
SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2002.
National Cancer Institute. Available at http://seer.cancer.gov (accessed on 7 May 2009).
2
Source:
SEER.
SEER Age Adjusted Incidence Rates by Expanded Race.
Available at http://seer.cancer.gov/faststats/sites.php?site=Breast+Cancer&stat=Incidence (accessed on 7 May 2009).
SEER.
SEER Age Adjusted Incidence Rates by Expanded Race.
Available at http://seer.cancer.gov/faststats/sites.php?site=Breast+Cancer&stat=Incidence (accessed on 7 May 2009).
The table below shows the number of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer for every 1,000 women in the same ethnic group
in 2004.
| Group | Number of women diagnosed with breast cancer per 10,000 women in the same group |
|---|---|
| White | 12 |
| Black | 12 |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 9 |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 7 |
| Hispanic | 9 |
It's a commonly quoted statistic that 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer. This statistic is accurate for a woman who is born
today and lives to be 90. But it doesn't mean that every woman has a 1-in-8 chance of getting breast cancer. Your risk is
unique. It depends on lots of things.
A more useful way to think about the general risk of getting breast cancer may be by age. The table below shows your chance
of getting breast cancer at certain times in your life. For example, for an average 40-year-old woman, her risk of getting
breast cancer in the next 10 years is less than 1 in 60.
4
Source:
National Cancer Institute.
Probability of breast cancer in American women.
Available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection (accessed on 7 May 2009).
National Cancer Institute.
Probability of breast cancer in American women.
Available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection (accessed on 7 May 2009).
| Age | Risk of getting breast cancer |
|---|---|
| 30 to 39 | 1 in 229 |
| 40 to 49 | 1 in 68 |
| 50 to 59 | 1 in 37 |
| 60 to 69 | 1 in 26 |
| Ever (from age 30 on) | 1 in 8 |
Sources for the information on this page:
- American Cancer Society.What are the key statistics for breast cancer?September 2008. Available at http://www.cancer.org (accessed on 7 May 2009).
- Ries LAG, Eisner MP, Kosary CL, et al. (editors).SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2002.National Cancer Institute. Available at http://seer.cancer.gov (accessed on 7 May 2009).
- SEER.SEER Age Adjusted Incidence Rates by Expanded Race.Available at http://seer.cancer.gov/faststats/sites.php?site=Breast+Cancer&stat=Incidence (accessed on 7 May 2009).
- National Cancer Institute.Probability of breast cancer in American women.Available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection (accessed on 7 May 2009).
This information was last updated on May 11, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional.
The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.
Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.
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Source: ConsumerReportsHealth.org Copyright © 2005-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
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