Breast Cancer Statstics

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On a baseline level, statistics are words on paper designed to chronicle common patterns and trends. From a close examination of statistics, one can hope to develop an insight into a particular subject. When it comes to breast cancer statistics, the presence of such information provides patients with a great deal of information. This allows them to make more informed decisions as well as gain a sense of hope that the condition can be overcome. So, let’s examine a few compiled statistics.

According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), in 2004 (the most recent year with comprehensive data), 186,772 women and 1,815 men developed breast cancer. Of these numbers, 40,954 women and 362 men died from the disease. If nothing else, this would indicate the chances for survival are significantly higher than potential fatalities.

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Breast cancer is the fifth leading cause of death among women with heart disease being the most common. It is not, however, impossible for breast cancer and other conditions to exist simultaneous as different conditions sometimes derive from the same factors.

The vast majority of women who develop breast cancer are over the age of sixty. This is because age is often a major factor in the onset of the disease. The younger a patient is, the less likely the chance there is of dying from breast cancer.

While there may be higher number of diagnoses in certain parts of the United States, this is simply due to larger populations as opposed to any geographic or environmental factor. Therefore, one should not take geographic region into serious consideration in terms of risk factor analysis.

The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer has decreased significantly from 2001 – 2004. From 1995 – 2001, there was neither an increase nor a decrease in the instances of diagnoses. Perhaps this may have been due to less vigilant screening due to lack of awareness at the time.

Caucasian women are more likely to develop breast cancer than African-American, Hispanic, or Asian women. Mortality rates, however, are higher percentage wise among African-American women. The reasons for this are unknown.

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Obesity and physical activity can play a role in whether or not a woman is more susceptible to breast cancer. It would seem that those who are more physically active and in better cardiovascular condition are less likely to develop breast cancer. However, being in good shape does not automatically prevent breast cancer.

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