Facts About Breast Cancer

Statistics

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly one out of three cancers diagnosed in women in the U.S. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the U.S.; only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths. However, the death rate from breast cancer has decreased 22% since 1988 for women in California.
• Breast cancer risk increases with age. From age 30-40, the risk is 1 in 257; from 40-50, 1 in 67; from 50-60, 1 in 36; from 60-70, 1 in 28; and from 70-80, 1 in 24. Women have a 1 in 8 lifetime risk of getting breast cancer.
• Over 80% of new breast cancer cases and 82% of breast cancer deaths in California occur in women ages 50+. Women under 40 account for only 6% of breast cancer cases.
• In California, only 42% of low-income women over 40 reported having both a clinical breast exam and mammogram, compared to 53% of higher income women.
  The largest differences in breast cancer screening are found between women with and without health insurance (public or private). Less than a third (30.2%) Of uninsured women age 40 and older had a mammogram within the last year, compared to 64% of insured women.
• 21% of California women are without health insurance. Uninsured women with breast cancer have a 30 to 50% higher risk of dying than women with private health insurance because of delayed diagnosis.
  
• 21% of California women are without health insurance.
  
• White women have the highest incidence rate for breast cancer. 70% of breast cancers diagnosed in 1998 in white women were early stage. In 2001, 64% of white women age 40 and older reported having a mammogram in the last year.
  
• African-American women with breast cancer are more likely to die from the disease at almost every age than women of any other race. This is because a larger percentage of breast cancers are diagnosed at a later, less treatable stage. 61% of breast cancers diagnosed in 1998 in African-American women were early stage. In 2001, 56% of African-American women age 40 and older reported having a mammogram in the last year.
  
• Invasive breast cancer rates increased by about 20% from 1988-1998 among Asian/Pacific Islander women in California. Although this group has the lowest incidence of breast cancer, it is the only group with a statistically significant increase in the incidence rate. 69% of breast cancers diagnosed in 1998 in Asian/Pacific Islander women were early stage. In 2001, 49% of Asian/Pacific Islander women 40 and older reported having a mammogram in the last year, the lowest screening rate of all ethnic/racial groups.
  
• Uninsured Latina/Hispanic women are two to three times more likely to have cancer diagnosed at a later stage, making it less treatable. 64% of breast cancers diagnosed in 1998 in Latina women were early stage. In 2001, 57% of Latina women age 40+ reported having a mammogram in the last year.
  

Early Detection

• Early detection of breast cancer improves chances of survival. When breast cancer is diagnosed early (at a localized stage), 96 out of 100 women survive for five years or more. Once the disease has spread to other parts of the body, only 21% survive five years.
  
• Breast abnormalities are discovered in one of three ways: by a woman herself, by her health care provider during a physical exam, or by a mammogram. Many breast cancers are found by the woman herself, but the smallest cancers are found by mammograms.
  
• The best way to detect breast cancer is with regular clinical breast exams, conducted by a health care professional, and mammograms.
  
• Mammography can detect cancers several years before a woman or her health care provider can feel a lump.
  
• All women aged 40 and over should get a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year. Women at particularly high risk should talk with their doctors about starting screening earlier. Women aged 20-39 should have a clinical breast exam every three years and perform monthly breast self-examination.
• The Cancer Detection Program: Every Woman Counts will pay for a mammogram and clinical breast exam for uninsured women in California.

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