The American Cancer Society‘s most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States are for 2011:
- About 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women
- About 57,650 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be found (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
- About 39,520 deaths from breast cancer (women)
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is a little less 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35. Breast cancer death rates have been going down. This is probably the result of finding the cancer earlier and better treatment. Right now there are more than 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
Life-style related risk factors:
- overweight or obese
- alcohol
- physical activity
Check out these titles available in the Health Neighborhood:
Things Come On: an memoir by Joesph Harrington
Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book by Susan M Love
Learn more about breast cancer and early detection:
National Breast Cancer Foundation
Breast Cancer: Causes, Factors and Prevention Topics from the American Cancer Society
Breast Cancer: Overview and Statistics from the American Cancer Society
Read Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ statement for 2011 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month