Breast cancer on the rise in younger women: new report

Breast cancer death rates continue to decline among American women, a new report from the American Cancer Society finds, but diagnoses are becoming more common among younger women.

ACS researchers said about 518,000 breast cancer deaths have been prevented with the death rate falling 44% since 1989.

However, the overall incidence of breast cancer increased by 1% per year from 2012 to 2021.

During those nine years, the rate of diagnosis increased by 1.4% annually among women younger than 50, 2.5% among Asian American women, and 2.7% among Pacific Islander women.

“The encouraging news is that breast cancer death rates continue to decline thanks to advances in early detection and treatment,” said Angela Giaquinto, lead study author and ACS associate scientist on the surveillance research team.

“But future progress may be hindered by increased incidence, especially among younger women, and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as delayed diagnosis due to interruptions in screening,” Giaquinto added.

The findings were published Tuesday in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

It is unclear exactly why there is an increase in newer breast cancer diagnoses.

Dr. Cindy Cen, a breast surgeon at Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Lake Success, said there are probably several reasons, including an increase in screenings, greater awareness of the importance of self-exams and poor lifestyle choices.

“Diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, alcohol intake all factor into breast cancer risk,” Cen, who was not involved in the new research, told The Post.

“The trend towards younger patients being diagnosed with cancer is not just limited to breast – we’re seeing younger diagnoses of colon cancer too for example,” she added. “This newest trend is definitely disturbing to see and needs further investigation.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women after skin cancer.

Researchers predict that more than 310,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in American women and 2,790 cases in men will be diagnosed this year.

About 42,250 women and 530 men are expected to die from the disease this year.

Early detection significantly improves the chances of breast cancer survival.

Experts recommend that women at average risk of breast cancer get screened annually starting at age 40. Those with a family history of breast cancer and other risk factors should consult their doctor.