According to the US breast cancer statistics:
- About 1 in 8 U.S. women (just under 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer throughout their lifetime.
- In 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 57,650 new non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer cases.
- About 39,520 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1990 — especially in women under 50. These decreases are thought to result from treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.
- Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. Just under 30% of cancers in women are breast cancers.
- A woman’s breast cancer risk approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it.
- About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen due to the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.
These are some scary statistics regarding the prevalence of breast cancer in American women. Successful treatment is more common as we continue to advance our knowledge about the disease and how to fight it. However, some of the most important information we receive is from a woman’s understanding of her breasts and a regular screening mammogram annually after 40 (or 35 if there is a family history). Take a look at the infographic from coppafeel.org (from the UK), which shows you how easy 5 minutes a month can be.
