Breast cancer mortality rates for U.S. women continue to decline; According to a new report from the American Cancer Society:However, the diagnosis is becoming more common among young women.
ACS researchers said that since 1989, mortality rates have fallen by 44% and approximately 518,000 breast cancer deaths have been prevented.
However, overall breast cancer incidence increased by 1% per year from 2012 to 2021.
Over the past nine years, diagnosis rates increased by 1.4% annually among women under age 50, 2.5% among Asian American women, and 2.7% among Pacific Islander women.
“The encouraging news is that breast cancer mortality rates continue to decline thanks to early detection and advances in treatment.” Angela Jaquintolead study author and ACS associate scientist within the surveillance research team.
“However, future progress may be hampered by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including increasing incidence, particularly among young women, and delays in diagnosis due to interruptions in screening.” added Jaquinto.
The findings were announced on Tuesday. CA: Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
It is unclear exactly why breast cancer diagnoses among young people are increasing.
Dr. Cindy Sen, Breast surgeons at Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Lake Success said there are likely several reasons, including increased screening tests, increased awareness of the importance of self-examination, and poor lifestyle choices. .
“Diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and alcohol consumption are all factors in breast cancer risk,” Sen, who was not involved in the new study, told the Post.
“The trend in cancer diagnoses in younger patients is not just limited to breast; for example, we are also seeing colon cancer diagnoses in younger patients,” she added. “This youth trend is clearly troubling and warrants further investigation.”
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States after skin cancer.
Researchers predict that more than 310,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women and 2,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer in men this year.
Approximately 42,250 women and 530 men are expected to die from the disease this year.
Early detection greatly improves the chances of survival for breast cancer.
Experts recommend that women at average risk for breast cancer get screened annually starting at age 40. People with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors should talk to their doctor.
