- Excluding skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly one of every three cancers diagnosed in women in the United States.
- It is estimated that 241,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,410 women will die of the disease this year.
- Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer.
- Recommend women age 40 and older have an annual mammogram, annual clinical breast examination by a health care professional and perform monthly breast self-examinations. Women ages 20 39 should have a clinical breast examination by a health care professional every 3 years and should perform monthly breast self examinations.
Source: American Cancer Society
- Estimate that a woman in the United States has a 1 in 7 chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime -- this risk was 1 in 11 in 1975.
- A new case of breast cancer in the United States will be diagnosed every 2 minutes and a woman will die from breast cancer every 13 minutes.
- Current methods of treatment in use in the United States are: surgery (mastectomy & lumpectomy), radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, & monoclonal antibody therapy.
- All women are at risk for breast cancer. About 80% of women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.
- There is no cure for breast cancer
Source: National Breast Cancer Coalition
- Breast cancer can develop at any age, but your risk increases as you grow older.
- Your chances of developing breast cancer are twice as great at age 70 as they are at age 50.
- Early diagnosis of breast cancer means better chances of survival.
- Mammography is a safe and effective screening tool, finding most breast cancers before they can be felt. But it is important to be examined regularly by your physician in addition to performing monthly breast self-examination.
Source: Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization
Male Breast Cancer Facts
- This year, an estimated 1,720 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among men with 460 deaths occurring.
- Male breast cancer accounts for approximately 1% of breast cancer incidence and mortality.
- Men should be aware of risk factors, especially family history, and report any change in their breasts to a physician.
Source: American Cancer Society
