Breast Cancer Statistics That Everyone Should Know This October

three-women-shoulder-to-shoulder-smilingOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the US, making it the perfect time to share important information about breast cancer, its impact, and how to reduce risks. The healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine encourage patients to stay informed about their breast cancer risk and take a proactive approach to maintaining long-term health.

With this in mind, here are some recent breast cancer statistics from the American Cancer Society that everyone should know.

Breast Cancer Remains Very Common

  • About 1 out of every 8 women (just over 13%) will experience some form of invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.
  • Last year (2024), an estimated nearly 311,000 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in the US.
  • Additionally, nearly 2,800 breast cancer cases were diagnosed in men as well.

Incidence Rate Slightly On The Rise

  • Over the last decade of recorded data, the incidence rate of breast cancer has increased slightly (by roughly 1%) in all women.
  • This includes a slightly larger increase (1.4%) among women under the age of 50.
  • This reinforces the importance of annual breast cancer screening (mammograms) for women starting around age 40 (and even earlier for women with a family history of breast cancer).

Mortality Rate On The Decline

  • The good news is that even as more breast cancer cases are diagnosed annually, the mortality rate from breast cancer is steadily decreasing.
  • An estimated 517,900 breast cancer deaths have been avoided since 1989 due to advancements in treatments and early detection of breast cancer.
  • The current 5-year survival rate of breast cancer is 91%, but this jumps to 99% in cases where the cancer is detected while still in its localized stage (before spreading).

Understanding Your Breast Cancer Risk Is Essential in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

While it may not be possible to prevent breast cancer entirely, knowing your personal risk and taking proactive steps—such as screenings, healthy lifestyle habits, and regular check-ups—can make a life-saving difference.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our family medicine healthcare providers, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.