Latest facts and figures about Breast Cancer from American Cancer Society

October is breast cancer awareness month. Here are some facts and figures to know from American Cancer Society (ACS).

Increasing awareness among women, increased screening and better techniques for early cancer detection has decreased a woman’s risk of dying from breast cancer by 38% between late 1980s and 2014, translating into 297,300 fewer cancer death during that period.

However, much is needed to be done as breast cancer is still second leading cause of cancer death in women, being exceeded by lung cancer which kills more women peryear.

A woman chances of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 37 (about 2.7 percent).

ACS estimates for breast cancer for the year 2017 are:

Currently, there are more than 3.1 million people with breast cancer in USA, which includes persons undergoing treatment and also persons who have already completed the treatment.

It is expected that about 40,610 women will die from breast cancer in the year 2017.

About 63,410 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) and 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2017

Although the incidence of breast cancer is nearly same in black and white women, black women are more likely to die from breast cancer.

Some latest research related to risk factors shows that:

Long term and heavy smoking increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer particularly if it started before her first pregnancy.

An obese postmenopausal woman faces 1.5 times increased risk of cancer, if she is overweight and 2 times the risk if she is obese women as compared to lean women.

Evidence is accumulating that regular physically activity lower your chances of breast cancer by 10-25%, more so in postmenopausal than premenopausal women.

Each alcoholic drink/day increases the chances of getting breast cancer by 7-10% on an average and women who regularly consume 2-3 drinks have 20% higher chances as compared to non-drinkers.