Introduction

Breast Cancer Statistics

• With the exception of non-melanoma skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women.

• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women (lung cancer is number one).

• According to the American Cancer Society, about 178,500 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2007.

• The American Cancer Society also estimates that in 2007, about 40,500 American women will die from breast cancer.

• Currently, there are approximately 2 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.

• The life-time risk of a woman developing breast cancer is about 1 in 8 (13%).

• The incidence of breast cancer is 5.5% for women with one affected first-degree relative (mother; sister; daughter) and 13.3% for those with two affected first-degree relatives.

• Eight of nine (89%) women who develop breast cancer do not have an affected first-degree relative.

• The good news is that death rates from breast cancer continue to decline, particularly in women age 50 or younger, due to earlier detection through screening and advances in treatment.