Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Breast Cancer Overview
How Common
Causes and Risk Factors
Mortality
Screening
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Breast Cancer Guide
Many people know someone diagnosed withbreast cancer—millions have been diagnosed themself. It’s themost commonly diagnosed cancer, other than skin cancer.
Breast cancer is when cells in the breast tissue start to grow out of control and form a tumor. Breast cancer can develop in people of any sex but is much more common in those assigned female at birth.
In 2022, there will be around 290,560 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the U.S. (2,710 cases of male breast cancer and 287,850 cases of female breast cancer).
Thankfully, the survival rate for breast cancer is good and has been steadily improving over the last 30 years.More than 3.5 million women are currently living with breast cancer.
This article will review the basic facts about breast cancer—including how common it is, who gets it, and how likely it is to be deadly.
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65 Breast Cancer Questions to Ask a Doctor
How Common Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer, aside from those developingin the skin. In 2022, an estimated 290,560 new breast cancer cases will be diagnosed. These cases account for about 15% of all new cancer cases.Of these, about 2,710 will develop in males, and 287,850 will develop in females.
Lifetime RiskThe lifetime risk of breast cancer for females is 1 in 8.For males, it is 100 times less, with a lifetime risk of about 1 in 833.
Lifetime Risk
The lifetime risk of breast cancer for females is 1 in 8.For males, it is 100 times less, with a lifetime risk of about 1 in 833.
Breast cancer incidence peaked in 1999, with a rate of 138.8 newly diagnosed cases per 100,000 women in the American population. This is a rate of 1 out of 720 women diagnosed with breast cancer that year.
While incidence has dipped slightly over the years, it’s still only marginally lower in the most recent years studied. Data collected between 2014 and 2018 showed 131.3 cases for every 100,000 women (about 1 in 788).
An estimated 43,780 people with breast cancer will die in 2022, of which 530 are male and 43,250 are female.Breast cancer will be the cause of about 7% of all cancer deaths in 2022.
Breast cancer is common in people of all ethnicities. While more common in White peple, it is more deadly in Black people.Between 2013 and 2017, the breast cancer death rate was 40% higher in Black people than White people.
The most dangerous subtype of breast cancer,triple-negative breast cancer, is more common in Black people. The prevalence of this more deadly type may cause some of the disparity in death rates, but it is not the only reason. Black women are also more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced disease due to inequalities in care.
Breast cancer in men is also more common and more dangerous for Black people. The incidence of breast cancer in Black men is 1 in 50,000, while the mortality is 1 in 200,000. In White men, these numbers are slightly lower: 1 in 77,000 are diagnosed with male breast cancer and 1 in 333,333 die from it.
Male and female breast cancer are more likely to develop the older you are. Eighty percent of new female breast cancer cases and 90% of deaths are in people 50 years and older.
Causes of Breast Cancer and Risk Factors
Many factors play into the development of breast cancer. There is no one cause of breast cancer. Most of the time, no one knows what leads to the development of cancerous growth. Tumors are typically the result of many risk factors working together, including genetic changes, lifestyle factors, and family history.
Some of the lifestyle risk factors forfemale breast cancerinclude:
What Are the Mortality Rates for Breast Cancer?
Based on data from 2012 to 2018, the five-year relative mortality rate is 9.4%. That means 90.6% of people with female breast cancer are alive five years after diagnosis.
The mortality rate for male breast cancer is higher, at 16%. That means that 84% of men who develop breast cancer will still be alive five years after diagnosis. The worse mortality rate in men is primarily due to later diagnosis of breast cancer in males—after a lump has developed and cancer has spread from its original tissue.
What Is Survival Rate?The survival rate is the percentage of people who survive a disease such as cancer for a specified amount of time after diagnosis. But it ispresented in many different ways.
What Is Survival Rate?
The survival rate is the percentage of people who survive a disease such as cancer for a specified amount of time after diagnosis. But it ispresented in many different ways.
Between 2015 and 2019, about 1 in 5,000 women in the U.S. died of breast cancer.Mortality rates for breast cancer have been declining steadily since 1990.
Before 1990, mortality rates for breast cancer in women hovered between 30 to 35 women dying from breast cancer for every 100,000 women in the U.S. population. In 2019 this number dropped below 20 for the first time.
Screening and Early Detection of Breast Cancer
When screening catches cancers early, they’re easier to treat and cure. The low mortality rate of breast cancer has a lot to do with how early cancer is detected—often before the person can feel a lump.
The usual way to screen for breast cancer is a mammogram. A mammogram machine takes a picture of the breast tissue using X-rays.
Screening guidelines vary somewhat. The American Cancer Society recommends that women with average risk who are 45 to 54 should get a yearly mammogram to catch breast cancer early; women age 40 to 44 have the option to start screening if they wish. At age 55 and older, they may switch to getting a mammogram every two years or continue with yearly mammograms.
By contrast, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all average-risk women get screening mammograms every two years from age 40 to 74.You should talk with your healthcare provider about which screening schedule is best for you.
For every 1,000 screenings performed, mammograms detect five breast cancers. Without mammograms, many of these cancers would progress before being found.
A recent study in the ACS journalCancershowed that women who got mammograms had a 41% reduced risk of dying from breast cancer within 10 years and a 25% reduced chance of being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.
People who are transgender should discuss their risks with their healthcare provider to determine whether they may benefit from screening for breast cancer.
Summary
Though breast cancer mainly affects only half of the population, it is one of the most common cancers. There are no clear-cut causes of breast cancer, but lifestyle factors can affect how likely you are to develop it.
You may have a predisposition to developing it and other cancers if you have some specific genetic mutations and may be at higher risk if you have a family history of breast cancer. Non-Hispanic Black people have the highest death rates for breast cancer, and non-Hispanic White people have the highest incidence rates.
Thankfully for the hard work of researchers, survival rates for breast cancer have steadily improved over the last 30 years. Along with improved early screening through mammograms and regular self-checks, more than 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are alive five years after diagnosis.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBreast cancer has a very good survival rate. More than 90% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are still alive five years later.Learn MoreBreast Cancer Survival RatesEarly signs of breast cancer can include:Breast swelling—even without a lumpDimpling of the skin dimplingPain in the breast or nippleNipple turning inwardSkin changes on the nipple or breast (flaking, red, dry, or thick)Discharge from the nipple dischargeLymph nodes that are enlarged from swellingLearn MoreWhat Are the Early Signs of Cancer?Men can develop breast cancer, but it is rare—in the United States, approximately 2,700 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.Learn MoreAn Overview of Breast Cancer in Males
Breast cancer has a very good survival rate. More than 90% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are still alive five years later.Learn MoreBreast Cancer Survival Rates
Breast cancer has a very good survival rate. More than 90% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are still alive five years later.
Learn MoreBreast Cancer Survival Rates
Early signs of breast cancer can include:Breast swelling—even without a lumpDimpling of the skin dimplingPain in the breast or nippleNipple turning inwardSkin changes on the nipple or breast (flaking, red, dry, or thick)Discharge from the nipple dischargeLymph nodes that are enlarged from swellingLearn MoreWhat Are the Early Signs of Cancer?
Early signs of breast cancer can include:Breast swelling—even without a lumpDimpling of the skin dimplingPain in the breast or nippleNipple turning inwardSkin changes on the nipple or breast (flaking, red, dry, or thick)Discharge from the nipple dischargeLymph nodes that are enlarged from swelling
Early signs of breast cancer can include:
Learn MoreWhat Are the Early Signs of Cancer?
Men can develop breast cancer, but it is rare—in the United States, approximately 2,700 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.Learn MoreAn Overview of Breast Cancer in Males
Men can develop breast cancer, but it is rare—in the United States, approximately 2,700 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
Learn MoreAn Overview of Breast Cancer in Males
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Breast statistics.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer in menAmerican Cancer Society.Report: breast cancer death rates down 40% since 1989.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Vital signs: racial disparities in breast cancer severity–United States, 2005-2009.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61(45):922-926.Centers for Disease Control.Male breast cancer incidence and mortality, United States—2013–2017.American Cancer Society.Lifestyle-related breast cancer risk factors.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Breast cancer in men: statistics.American Cancer Society.ACS breast cancer screening guidelines.US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534American Cancer Society.Cancer prevention and early detection facts and figures 2021-2022.Duffy SW, Tabár L, Yen AM, et al.Mammography screening reduces rates of advanced and fatal breast cancers: results in 549,091 women.Cancer. 2020;126(13):2971-2979. doi:10.1002/cncr.32859Sterling J, Garcia MM.Cancer screening in the transgender population: a review of current guidelines, best practices, and a proposed care model.Transl Androl Urol. 2020;9(6):2771-2785. doi:10.21037/tau-20-954American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Breast statistics.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer in menAmerican Cancer Society.Report: breast cancer death rates down 40% since 1989.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Vital signs: racial disparities in breast cancer severity–United States, 2005-2009.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61(45):922-926.Centers for Disease Control.Male breast cancer incidence and mortality, United States—2013–2017.American Cancer Society.Lifestyle-related breast cancer risk factors.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Breast cancer in men: statistics.American Cancer Society.ACS breast cancer screening guidelines.US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534American Cancer Society.Cancer prevention and early detection facts and figures 2021-2022.Duffy SW, Tabár L, Yen AM, et al.Mammography screening reduces rates of advanced and fatal breast cancers: results in 549,091 women.Cancer. 2020;126(13):2971-2979. doi:10.1002/cncr.32859Sterling J, Garcia MM.Cancer screening in the transgender population: a review of current guidelines, best practices, and a proposed care model.Transl Androl Urol. 2020;9(6):2771-2785. doi:10.21037/tau-20-954American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Breast statistics.National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer in menAmerican Cancer Society.Report: breast cancer death rates down 40% since 1989.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Vital signs: racial disparities in breast cancer severity–United States, 2005-2009.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61(45):922-926.Centers for Disease Control.Male breast cancer incidence and mortality, United States—2013–2017.American Cancer Society.Lifestyle-related breast cancer risk factors.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Breast cancer in men: statistics.American Cancer Society.ACS breast cancer screening guidelines.US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534American Cancer Society.Cancer prevention and early detection facts and figures 2021-2022.Duffy SW, Tabár L, Yen AM, et al.Mammography screening reduces rates of advanced and fatal breast cancers: results in 549,091 women.Cancer. 2020;126(13):2971-2979. doi:10.1002/cncr.32859Sterling J, Garcia MM.Cancer screening in the transgender population: a review of current guidelines, best practices, and a proposed care model.Transl Androl Urol. 2020;9(6):2771-2785. doi:10.21037/tau-20-954American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.
American Cancer Society.Breast statistics.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: female breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for breast cancer in men
American Cancer Society.Report: breast cancer death rates down 40% since 1989.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Vital signs: racial disparities in breast cancer severity–United States, 2005-2009.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61(45):922-926.
Centers for Disease Control.Male breast cancer incidence and mortality, United States—2013–2017.
American Cancer Society.Lifestyle-related breast cancer risk factors.
American Society of Clinical Oncology.Breast cancer in men: statistics.
American Cancer Society.ACS breast cancer screening guidelines.
US Preventive Services Task Force, Nicholson WK, Silverstein M, et al.Screening for breast cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.JAMA. Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534
American Cancer Society.Cancer prevention and early detection facts and figures 2021-2022.
Duffy SW, Tabár L, Yen AM, et al.Mammography screening reduces rates of advanced and fatal breast cancers: results in 549,091 women.Cancer. 2020;126(13):2971-2979. doi:10.1002/cncr.32859
Sterling J, Garcia MM.Cancer screening in the transgender population: a review of current guidelines, best practices, and a proposed care model.Transl Androl Urol. 2020;9(6):2771-2785. doi:10.21037/tau-20-954
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.
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