New data from the American Cancer Society highlight the remarkable strides that have been made against breast cancer, with the U.S. death rate falling 44% over the last 33 years – saving over half a million lives. But the statistics also underscore the work that remains to be done, particularly with minority women.
The fight against breast cancer has been one of public health’s major success stories.
- High mammography screening uptake has led to early detection of cancers that can then be treated with revolutionary new therapies.
Much of the credit for this success goes to the women’s health movement, which has conducted effective advocacy campaigns that have led to …
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month elevating the importance of breast health every October.
- USPSTF lowering its recommended screening age to 40.
- FDA requiring that mammography centers report breast density status to patients.
But breast cancer remains the third most common killer of women after heart disease and lung cancer, and there have been disturbing trends even as the overall death rate falls.
- Breast cancer incidence has been rising especially in younger women, and major disparities continue to be seen, particularly with survival in Black women.
The American Cancer Society’s new report represents the group’s biennial review of breast cancer statistics, finding …
- In 2024 there will be 311k new cases of invasive breast cancer, 56.5k cases of DCIS, and 42.3k deaths.
- The breast cancer mortality rate has fallen 44% from 1989 to 2022, from 33 deaths per 100k women to 19 deaths.
- Some 518k breast cancer deaths have been averted.
- The mortality rate ranges from 39% higher than average for Black women to 38% lower for Asian American Pacific Islander women.
- The mortality rate is slightly higher than average (0.5%) for White women.
- The average breast cancer incidence rate is 132 per 100k women, but ranges from 5% higher for White women to 21% lower for Hispanic women.
- Women 50 years and older will account for most invasive cases (84%) and deaths (91%).
The Takeaway
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, women’s health advocates should be heartened by the progress that’s been made overall. But battles remain, from eliminating patient out-of-pocket payments for follow-up studies to addressing race-based disparities in breast cancer mortality. In many ways, the fight is just beginning.
