Women are being diagnosed with breast cancer at higher rates than before, according to the latest data from the American Cancer Society. Researchers say they’re concerned because the increase is steeper among younger women.
Experts say one thing remains critical for women to have the best chance of successful treatment or survival: early detection, and getting mammograms annually. Dr. Jamie Wagner, Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs and Division Chief of Breast Surgical Oncology in the Surgery Department and Breast Program Director at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, says breast cancer remains the most common cancer among U. S. women, with nearly 311,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer expected to be diagnosed in women this year, killing 42,000 of them.
The new report found that breast cancer incidence rose by 1% annually from 2012 to 2021, 1.4 % per year among women younger than 50. Researchers suggested it reflects some risk factors such as increased body weight and fewer or later childbirths. They also said the increase in more recent years could reflect patients trying to “catch up” with their mammograms and other screenings after having postponed them during the covid-19 pandemic.
