How Well Is Nz Doing In Tackling Breast Cancer
In the first and biggest study of its kind, weve analysed data in Te Rhita Mate taetae – Breast Cancer Foundation National Register.
Our report, 30,000 voices: Informing a better future for breast cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand, looks at how New Zealand is doing when it comes to breast cancer diagnoses and treatment.
Here Are Some Facts You May Not Know About The Illness
Frank McGeorge, MD, Local 4’s Good Health Medical Expert
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is drawing to a close, but experts say its important to remain vigilant about breast cancer all year long.
Local 4s Dr. Frank McGeorge has compiled essential, and some surprising, facts about breast cancer to keep you alert and in the know:
In the United States, more than 43,000 women and more than 500 men are expected to die from breast cancer in 2021. Many of these cases will be hard-to-treat cancers that were detected in the late stages of the illness.
When breast cancer is found early and has not spread, the five-year survival rate is 99% — which, alone, highlights how critical it is to detect the cancer early on.
According to a survey from SurvivorNet.com, one in three women have delayed their annual mammogram appointment, and 45% say theyre nervous about visiting their doctor since the start of the pandemic.
The mammogram is basically the gold standard, and thats the one thats been studied the most and has shown to actually decrease deaths from breast cancer, said radiologist Dr. Cynthia Litwer.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in pregnant women or women who have recently given birth.
Menopausal Therapy And Use Of Contraceptives
Recent use of menopausal hormone therapy and recent use of oral contraceptives are both associated with increases in overall breast cancer risk.
All types of MHT, except vaginal oestrogens, have been were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, which increased with duration of use. Risks were larger for combined oestrogen-progestogen therapy than for oestrogen-only therapy. Women without a history of breast cancer are advised to discuss the risks and benefits of taking MHT with their doctor. For women with a history of breast cancer, MHT is generally not recommended.
Oral contraceptive use is associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Using them for 5 years was associated with a risk of dying from breast cancer. The risk declined 10 years after stopping using these therapies. Even contemporary hormonal contraceptives have an associated risk: A study in Denmark found a 19% increased risk of breast cancer among current and recent users of combined contraceptives.
Resources
Read Also: How Often Does Stage 1 Breast Cancer Return
Physical Activity And Weight
Regular physical activity at all ages reduces the risk of breast cancer. Being physically active for more than 30 minutes a day could reduce breast cancer risk by 20%.
Not being active enough may increase the risk of breast cancer. This risk increases with increased sedentary time, particularly with watching television.
Maintaining a healthy weight throughout life could reduce the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer by 50%. Postmenopausal women who are overweight or obese and achieve a healthy weight may decrease their risk of breast cancer by 50%.
Breast Cancer In The Uk And England Over Time
*Breast cancer in UK women has:
- increased by 24% over 23 years
- increased by 5% over 10 years
- dropped by 2% over 3 years
* most up to date figures are from 2018
In England in 2019:
- Breast cancer became the most common cancer and accounts for 30% of all cancers
- The rate of breast cancer in women has doubled over the past 50 years
- The rate of breast cancer in men has remained stable over the past two decades
- 86% of breast cancers in women are diagnosed at stage 1 or stage 2
You May Like: When To Get Tested For Breast Cancer
Genetics And Family History
- Around 15-20% of men and women with breast cancer will have a family history of the disease
- Inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for about 4-6% of all breast cancer cases in women and around 11-12% of cases in men
- In the general population, around 1 in 300-400 people carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. People of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have a 1 in 40 chance of carrying a BRCA mutation.
Male Breast Cancer Statistics
Contrary to popular belief, it is indeed possible for men to get breast cancer.
As such, according to the National Breast Cancer Institute, the risk for US-based men is situated at 1 in 1,000 definitely lower when compared to women of the same age.
National Breast Cancer
Though its rare, 2,620 men will likely be diagnosed in the US this year, whereas 520 will lose their lives because of it.
This male breast cancer statistic helps showcase that male breast cancer should be acknowledged. Regardless if it is rare or not, men all over the world must perform checks from time to time to ensure that they arent affected by the disease. Incidence rates have been fairly stable within the last couple of years, yet it is important to note that from a long-term perspective, the occurrence of breast cancer in men has increased, similarly to women, as reported by CDC breast cancer statistics.
National Breast Cancer
In the UK, the Breast Cancer Now Organization estimates that 350 men are diagnosed on an annual basis. 30 of these diagnoses take place in Scotland.
It is believed that similar occurrence rates are found in most areas of the world.
Breast Cancer Now Organization
Also Check: Can Breast Cancer Be In The Armpit
Breast Cancer Mortality Rates Worldwide
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in most countries in the world .
Its estimated more than 680,000 breast cancer deaths occurred worldwide in 2020 .
Rates of breast cancer mortality vary around the world
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer mortality among women in developing countries .
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer mortality among women in developed countries .
Breast Cancer Facts & Figures
Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2019-2020 is an educational companion for Breast Cancer Statistics, 2019, a scientific paper published in the American Cancer Society journal, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among US women and is the second leading cause of death among women after lung cancer. The Breast Cancer Facts & Figures report provides statistics about the occurrence of breast cancer, as well as information about risk factors, prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Looking for more breast cancer statistics? Visit the American Cancer Societys Cancer Statistics Center website to explore, interact with, and share cancer statistics.
The website can be used to:
- View and download maps, graphs, and charts
- Create custom downloadable maps, graphs, and charts
- Export data to Excel
Also Check: Can Massaging Breast Cause Cancer
Metastatic Breast Cancer At Diagnosis
Most often, metastatic breast cancer arises months or years after a person has completed treatment for early or locally advanced breast cancer.
Some people have metastatic breast cancer when they are first diagnosed. This is called de novo metastatic breast cancer. In the U.S., 9 percent of men have metastases when they are first diagnosed with breast cancer .
Learn more about metastatic breast cancer.
Fact : Shift Work May Increase Risk Of Breast Cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer recently concluded that women who worked night shifts for 30 years or more were twice as likely to develop breast cancer. However, women who work nights are advised not to panic. Itâs worth noting that no link was found between higher breast cancer risk and periods of night work which were shorter than 30 years.
All photography is for illustrative purposes only and all persons depicted are models.
Read Also: What Are The Side Effects Of Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Statistics 2020
- 508,000 women have died as a result of breast cancer in 2018, according to a World Health Organization report.
- Breast cancer is most often diagnosed in Western Europe and the least in Africa.
- After skin cancer, breast cancer represents the second most common cancer type that affects American women.
- Worldwide, it is the most common type of cancer found in 80% of countries across the globe.
- Occurrence rates showcase that every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the US.
- Yearly, 2,670 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the US, whereas around 500 lose their lives because of it.
Fact : The First Record Of A Mastectomy Offered For Breast Cancer Was Over 1500 Years Ago
The first record of a breast mastectomy was in A.D. 548 on Theodora, Empress of Byzantine. Significant progress in our understanding and treatment of breast cancer in recent decades has seen a dramatic reduction in the use of âradicalâ mastectomy , which was the standard surgical approach to breast cancer right up until the 1960s.
Don’t Miss: Why Is Triple Negative Breast Cancer So Bad
Breast Cancer By Ethnicity
Breast cancer is common in people of all ethnicities. While more common in White peple, it is more deadly in Black people.Between 2013 and 2017, the breast cancer death rate was 40% higher in Black people than White people.
The most dangerous subtype of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, is more common in Black people. The prevalence of this more deadly type may cause some of the disparity in death rates, but it is not the only reason. Black women are also more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced disease due to inequalities in care.
Breast cancer in men is also more common and more dangerous for Black people. The incidence of breast cancer in Black men is 1 in 50,000, while the mortality is 1 in 200,000. In White men, these numbers are slightly lower: 1 in 77,000 are diagnosed with male breast cancer and 1 in 333,333 die from it.
| Incidence and Death Rates of Female Breast Cancer by Ethnic Group |
|---|
| Ethnic Group |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.6 | 0 |
Breast Cancer Rates In Men Over Time
From 2015-2019 , the breast cancer incidence rate in men, as well as in women, increased slightly .
From 2015-2019 , the breast cancer mortality rate in men declined slightly . The breast cancer mortality rate in women has also declined over time. From 2015-2019 the mortality rate in women decreased by about one percent per year .
Recommended Reading: Can You Get Breast Cancer At 19
Basic Information About Breast Cancer
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. Deaths from breast cancer have declined over time, but breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death among women overall and the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women.
Each year in the United States, about 264,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,400 in men. About 42,000 women and 500 men in the U.S. die each year from breast cancer. Black women have a higher rate of death from breast cancer than White women.
Fact : Most Women Now Survive Breast Cancer
Huge progress has been made in recent years in breast cancer. In fact, breast cancer management across risk assessment, prevention, surgery, radiation, and other treatment, has changed dramatically. Death rates from breast cancer in more developed countries have been declining in recent years, and now survival rates are 80% or over in countries like the US, Sweden and Japan. However, survival rates remain below 40% in low-income countries.
Recommended Reading: Breast Cancer Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Mortality Rates And Number Of Breast Cancer Deaths
Sometimes its useful to have an estimate of the number of people expected to die from breast cancer in a year. This number helps show the burden of breast cancer in a group of people.
Numbers, however, can be hard to compare to each other. To compare mortality in different populations, we need to look at mortality rates rather than the number of breast cancer deaths.
Top 10 Lung Cancer Forums Discussions And Message Boards
Overview Experts recommend forums and blogs to help connect people diagnosed with lung cancer. Studies show that hearing other patients stories can help you live through your condition. Over the years, the number of people living with lung cancer has increased. This means there is always someone going through the …
Recommended Reading: Do Fertility Drugs Cause Breast Cancer
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.
Breast Cancer Deaths Per Year
It is estimated that 41,760 women will die from breast cancer this year, in the United States.
For most of these women, cancer, which originated from the breast tissue, has spread throughout the body, thus affecting numerous other organs. In cases like these, treatment is more difficult as performing surgery in multiple areas is dangerous, whereas other treatment plans arent as effective as they are in early detection cases.
National Breast Cancer
In the UK, 1,000 women die because of breast cancer monthly.
As such, we can use these stats on breast cancer to determine that roughly 12,000 women die on a yearly basis because of breast cancer in the UK. The same source also showcases that every month in Scotland 80 women die for similar reasons.
Breast Cancer Now Organization
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women, after lung cancer.
This statistic is relevant for the United States, yet it has its applicability in many other areas of the world. As such, at this time, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women, and the second most deadly. It is important to notice that since 1989, the number of British women dying from breast cancer has decreased annually.
Cancer Net
Also Check: What Type Of Breast Cancer Is Associated With Brca Mutation
Breast Cancer Survival Rates By Stage And Age
The relative 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is 92%. This means that those who have breast cancer are, on average, 92% as likely as those who dont have the disease to live for at least 5 years after their diagnosis. The survival rate is an estimate across the population, and an individuals chance of survival is dependent on their specific characteristics and the nature of the tumour, such as the stage of the breast cancer at diagnosis, the age, gender and the subtype of the breast cancer .
The 5-year survival rate for Stage 1 breast cancer is, on average, 100% and Stage 2 is 95%. For locally advanced cancers the survival rate is 81%, while the 5-year survival rate for Stage 4 is significantly lower at 32%.
The 5-year survival rate also differs depending on the age group. For those aged over 85, the 5-year survival rate is 75%, while for those between 40 and 44 years of age it is 93%.
While the 5-year survival rate post-diagnosis is 92%, the survival rate 10 years after diagnosis of breast cancer is 86%.
Breast Cancer Incidence Rates Worldwide
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide.
Its estimated more than 2 million new cases of breast cancer occurred worldwide among women in 2020 .
Breast cancer incidence rates around the world vary
In general, rates of breast cancer are higher in developed countries than in developing countries .
Recommended Reading: When Is Breast Cancer Week
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer
There are many different signs and symptoms of breast cancer, so regularly checking your breasts for anything different or new is important.
The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment. Getting to know what your breasts look and feel like normally means its easier to spot any unusual changes and check them with your doctor. Common breast cancer signs and symptoms include:
- A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit. You might feel the lump, but not see it.
- Changes in the size or shape of the breast
- A change in skin texture i.e. puckering or dimpling of the skin
- A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed
- Rash, crusting or changes to the nipple
- Any unusual discharge from either nipple
Over a third of women in the UK do not check their breasts regularly for potential signs of breast cancer.
According to a YouGov survey commissioned by Breast Cancer Now, a third of those who do check their breasts for possible signs and symptoms dont feel confident that they would notice a change.
Asked what stops or prevents them from checking their breasts more regularly, over half forgetting to check, over a third not being in the habit of checking, a fifth not feeling confident in checking their breasts, not knowing how to check , not knowing what to look for and being worried about finding a new or unusual change .
Some factors are outside our control, including:
Fact : Men Get Breast Cancer Too A Mans Lifetime Risk Of Breast Cancer Is About 1 In 1000
Many people do not realise that men have breast tissue and that they can develop breast cancer. But breast cancer is less common in men because their breast duct cells are less developed than those of women and because they normally have lower levels of female hormones that affect the growth of breast cells.
Also Check: What Type Of Breast Cancer Does Shannen Doherty Have