For Family And Friends
Caring for a loved one with stage 4 breast cancer has special challenges as well. Fortunately, organizations such as CancerCare now offer support groups design for loved ones who are caring for someone with cancer. In addition to caring for yourself , itâs helpful to learn about metastatic breast cancer.
Common things that people learn about cancer usually refer to an early-stage disease, and myths about metastatic breast cancer can be painful for those living with advanced disease. For example, one of the things not to say to someone with metastatic breast cancer is, âWhen will you be done with treatment?â
For the most part, people with metastatic breast cancer will require some type of treatment for the rest of their lives.
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Advanced Stage At Diagnosis According To Ethnicity
The stage of breast cancer at diagnosis is so important to prognosis, thus the earlier stage at diagnosis, the better the outcome.
A recent 2015 study examined 102,064 women over the age of 20 from the SEER data registry, all who had invasive breast cancer between 2010 and 2011.
The results showed that African American and Hispanic women were 30% to 60% more likely to be diagnosed with stage II to IV breast cancer than Caucasian white women.
Furthermore, African American women were 40% to 70% more likely to be diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. American Indian/Alaska Native were 3.9 times more likely to have Stage IV triple-negative breast cancer.
When you look at the 2012 survival statistics above the impact of the medical study regarding stage and ethnicity is clear.
In addition, African American and Hispanic breast cancer patients were at higher risk of not receiving breast cancer treatment according to guidelines across all sub-types.
Stage at diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most important prognostic factors.
This is why it is SO important for women to attend regular screening.
Interactive Statistics With Seer*explorer
With SEER*Explorer, you can…
- Create custom graphs and tables
SEER*Explorer is an interactive website that provides easy access to a wide range of SEER cancer statistics. It provides detailed statistics for a cancer site by gender, race, calendar year, age, and for a selected number of cancer sites, by stage and histology.
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How Many People Survive Breast Cancer
- Almost nine in ten of women survive breast cancer for five years or more.
- Breast cancer survival is improving and has doubled in the past 40 years in the UK due to a combination of improvements in treatment and care, earlier detection through screening and a focus on targets, including faster diagnosis.
- An estimated 600,000 people are alive in the UK after a diagnosis of breast cancer. This is predicted to rise to 1.2 million in 2030.
For many the overwhelming emotional and physical effects of the disease can be long-lasting.
Every year around 11,500women and 85 men die from breast cancer in the UK thats nearly 1,000 deaths each month, 31 each day or one every 45 minutes.
Breast cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the UK.
Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women under 50 in the UK.
Is Cancer Increasing Or Decreasing
In the past 20 years, from 2001 to 2020, cancer death rates went down 27%, from 196.5 to 144.1 deaths per 100,000 population. Healthy People 2030 set an objective of 122.7 cancer deathsexternal icon per 100,000 population. Cancer death rates went down more among males than among females but were still higher among males than females .
NOTES: Deaths were classified using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. Cancer deaths were identified using underlying cause-of-death codes C00-C97 . Rates were age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population. Healthy People objectivesexternal icon are available.
National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Data.
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What Is A 5
A relative survival rate compares women with the same type and stage of breast cancer to women in the overall population.For example, if the 5-year relative survival rate for a specific stage of breast cancer is 90%, it means that women who have that cancer are, on average, about 90% as likely as women who dont have that cancer to live for at least 5 years after being diagnosed.
How Many People Survive 5 Years Or More After Being Diagnosed With Female Breast Cancer
Relative survival is an estimate of the percentage of patients who would be expected to survive the effects of their cancer. It excludes the risk of dying from other causes. Because survival statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. No two patients are entirely alike, and treatment and responses to treatment can vary greatly.
5-Year
U.S. 20162020, All Races, Females
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Incidence Rates And The Number Of New Cases
To know whether or not breast cancer rates are changing over time, you have to compare rates, rather than the number of new cases.
For example, lets compare the number of new cases of breast cancer in U.S. in 2009 to the number of new cases in 2016. In 2009, there were an estimated 192,370 new cases of breast cancer in U.S. women . In 2016, there were an estimated 246,660 new cases .
Although more breast cancer cases occurred in 2016 than in 2009, this doesnt mean the rate of breast cancer increased over this time period.
We expect the number of cases to increase over time because the population of the U.S. increases over time . The more people there are, the more cancers there will be.
Our population is also living longer, so there are more people who are older . Since age increases the risk of breast cancer, we expect to have more breast cancers over time.
To know if breast cancer rates are changing over time, we look at incidence rates, rather than the number of new cases. The incidence rate shows the number of breast cancer cases in a set population size over a period of time. Its usually written as the number of cases in a population of 100,000 people per year.
The breast cancer incidence rate among women in 2009 was 125 and the estimated breast cancer incidence rate in 2016 was also 125 . This means there were 125 breast cancer new cases per 100,000 women in the U.S. in both 2009 and 2016.
100 percent mortality rate = survival rate
How Many Cases Of Breast Cancer Were Diagnosed In 2012
Nearly 1.7 million new cases were diagnosed in 2012, representing 25% of all cancers in women. Current statistics suggest that breast cancer is more likely to occur in developed countries, although that could be due to a lack of diagnoses in less developed regions of the world. Early detection is the best way to treat and prevent the spread
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Do Some Groups Experience Higher Rates Than Others
Cancer death rates differed by cancer type, sex, racial and ethnic group, and residence in an urban or rural county. Healthy People 2030 objectives include reducing death rates for lung cancerexternal icon to 25.1 deaths per 100,000 population, colorectal cancerexternal icon to 8.9 deaths per 100,000 population, female breast cancerexternal icon to 15.3 deaths per 100,000 female population, and prostate cancerexternal icon to 16.9 deaths per 100,000 male population.
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| 18.3 | 11.0 |
NOTES: Deaths were classified using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. Cancer deaths were identified using underlying cause-of-death codes C00-C97 . Rates were age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population. Urban/rural status was based on county of residence, classified using the 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties.Healthy People objectivesexternal icon are available.
National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Data.
In 2020
- 1,153 children younger than 15 years old died of cancer.
- 8,863 adolescents and young adults between 15 and 39 years old died of cancer.
- 151,578 adults between 40 and 64 years old died of cancer.
- 338,340 adults between 65 and 84 years old died of cancer.
- 102,413 adults who were 85 years old or older died of cancer.
Note: Age was not recorded for 3 cancer deaths.
What Is The Growing Population Of Cancer Survivors
The growing population of cancer survivors represents a global challenge for survivors and their families, employers, healthcare systems and governments. Breast cancer accounts for almost a quarter of new cancer cases among women. Breast cancer is the leading cancer type in females in most countries in the world in 2018.
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Health Disparities In Young African Americans
In addition to these unique issues, research has shown that young African American women face even greater challenges.
- African American women under age 35 have rates of breast cancer two times higher than caucasian women under age 35.14
- African Americans under age 35 die from breast cancer three times as often as caucasian women of the same age.14
- Researchers believe that access to healthcare and the quality of healthcare available may explain these disparities. But scientists continue to investigate.
- Research also shows that young African Americans are more likely to get aggressive forms of breast cancer than anyone else.14
Trends In Breast Cancer Incidence By Race Ethnicity And Age Among Women Aged 20 Years United States 19992018
Weekly / January 14, 2022 / 71 43â47
Please note: This report has been corrected. An erratum has been published.
Taylor D. Ellington, MPH1,2 Jacqueline W. Miller, MD1 S. Jane Henley, MSPH1 Reda J. Wilson, MPH1 Manxia Wu, MD1 Lisa C. Richardson, MD1
What is already known about this topic?
Breast cancer accounts for 30% of all cancers diagnosed in women.
What is added by this report?
During 19992018, breast cancer incidence among women aged 20 years decreased an average of 0.3% per year, decreasing 2.1% per year during 19992004 and increasing 0.3% per year during 20042018. Incidence increased among start highlightnon-Hispanic Asian or Pacific end highlightIslander women and women aged 2039 years but decreased among non-Hispanic White women and women aged 5064 and 75 years.
What are the implications for public health practice?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends biennial mammography screening for women aged 5074 years. Women aged 2049 years might benefit from discussing potential breast cancer risk and ways to reduce risk with their health care providers.
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Symptoms Of Metastatic Breast Cancer
The symptoms of stage 4 breast cancer depend on the location of the cancer and where it has spread in your body.
- If breast cancer has spread to your bones, you may notice a sudden new bone pain. Breast cancer most commonly spreads to your ribs, spine, pelvis, or arm and leg bones.
- If it has spread to your brain, you may experience headaches, vision or speech changes, or memory problems.
- Breast cancer that has spread to your lungs or liver usually causes no symptoms.
The main treatments for stage 4 breast cancer are targeted drug therapies that destroy cancer cells wherever they are in your body.
These treatments may include:
- hormone therapy, which stops or slows the growth of tumors by preventing your body from producing hormones or interfering with the effect of hormones on breast cancer cells
- chemotherapy, where drugs given orally or through an IV travel through your bloodstream to fight cancer cells
- immunotherapy, which uses drugs that stimulate your immune system to destroy cancer cells
- a combination of these therapies
In some cases, surgery or radiation therapy may be used to treat stage 4 breast cancer.
The following are the common treatment options for different types of stage 4 breast cancer.
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What Is Metastatic Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer is also called stage IV or advanced breast cancer, in which the cancer has spread beyond the breast and adjacent lymph nodes to other parts of the body such as the bones, lungs, liver, or brain.
Remote recurrence occurs when metastatic breast cancer develops months or years after a person has finished therapy for early or locally advanced breast cancer.
Only 6% of women and 9% of men in the U.S. are diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer, which refers to breast cancer that is already metastatic at the time of diagnosis.
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Addressing Racial Health Disparities Among Breast Cancer Patients
The promotion of community education, efforts to increase preventive screenings, and a focus on early detection are all critical initiatives for public health professionals and healthcare providers working to reduce the mortality rate of Black breast cancer patients.
Further research that focuses on how factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and access to care affect breast cancer patient outcomes can also inform future intervention strategies. For example, current guidelines for breast cancer screenings may fail to acknowledge the experience of all patients, leaving certain communities at a disadvantage for early detection.
The Importance Of Screening
If youve been diagnosed with breast cancer, and especially if you have higher risk due to a hereditary gene mutation or other factors, screening can mean earlier detection of a recurrence or new breast cancer. Regular breast cancer screenings have been shown to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer and increase survival rates.
Talk with your healthcare team about the type of screening plan thats best for you.
Below you can find articles, personal stories, and downloadable resources with more information about diagnosis, talking with family, and finding emotional support.
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What Is Cdc Doing To Reduce Cancer Deaths
CDCs framework to reduce cancer deaths includes eliminating preventable cancers, ensuring that all people get the right screening at the right time, and helping cancer survivors live longer, healthier lives. CDC supports foundational programs that aim to reduce the cancer burden through multi-disciplinary collaboration and coordination. These programs include the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, the Colorectal Cancer Control Program, the National Program of Cancer Registries, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program. Visit CDCs Cancer Prevention and Control website for more information.
The Malm Breast Cancer Database
The study cohort consists of all cases of invasive female breast cancer in Malmö, Sweden, diagnosed between 1 January 1961 and 31 December 1991. They were all treated at the same institution, Malmö University Hospital, and no referrals were made to or from the hospital for patients with breast cancer. All residents in Sweden are registered by a unique 10-digit ID number. Breast cancer patients were identified by review of clinical notes and record-linkage with the Swedish Cancer Registry, forming the basis of the Malmö Breast Cancer Database. This was all completed by one surgeon, who also validated all breast cancer diagnoses by reviewing histological material, X-ray examinations, and medical records . The present study was approved by the regional ethical committee in Lund, Sweden .
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From Cured To Stage 4
Others, like Teri Pollastro, a 54-year-old stage 4 patient from Seattle, respond surprisingly well.
Diagnosed with early stage ductal carcinoma in situ in 1999, Pollastro underwent a mastectomy but did not receive chemotherapy, radiation or tamoxifen, since her cancer was ER negative.
âThey used the C-word with me, they told me I was cured,â she said. âEvery time I went back to my oncologist, he would roll his eyes at me when I had questions.â
In 2003, Pollastro switched to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance where she saw Dr. Julie Gralow, a breast cancer oncologist and clinical researcher at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Gralow discovered Pollastroâs cancer had metastasized to her liver.
âMy husband and I were in shock,â said Pollastro of her mets diagnosis. âYou donât go from being cured to stage 4.â
Pollastro went on Herceptin, a type of immunotherapy for women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, and did six months of chemotherapy.
âI felt better right away with the treatment,â she said. âBut the problem is, it stopped . Thatâs what you can expect with mets. And thereâs always some residual cancer. And that starts percolating.â
And along with mets, she also had to deal with many misconceptions regarding her disease.
The Mercer Island, Washington, mother of two, who often counsels newly diagnosed patients, sometimes even found it difficult to relate to early stage breast cancer survivors.
Breast Cancer Statistics In Young Adults
Although breast cancer in young adults is rare, more than 250,000 living in the United States today were diagnosed under age 40. In young adults, breast cancer tends to be diagnosed in its later stages. It also tends to be more aggressive. Young adults have a higher mortality rate. As well as a higher risk of metastatic recurrence .
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Why Does Metastatic Breast Cancer Happen
Most often, metastatic cancer occurs because treatment didnt destroy all the cancer cells. Sometimes, a few cells remain dormant, or are hidden and undetectable. Then, for reasons providers dont fully understand, the cells begin to grow and spread again.
De novo metastatic breast cancer means that at the time of initial diagnosis, the breast cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. In the absence of treatment, the cancer spreads.
There is nothing you can do to keep breast cancer from metastasizing. And metastatic breast cancer doesnt happen because of something you did.