Important Facts

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, except for nonmelanoma skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8 (13% of women). It is estimated that in 2007 about 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. At this time there are slightly over 2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Women living in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world.
In addition to invasive breast cancer, carcinoma in situ (CIS) will account for about 62,030 new cases in 2007. CIS is noninvasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer. Breast cancer also occurs in men. An estimated 2,030 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2007.
Breast cancer incidence rates showed a rapid increase in the 1980s, although the rate of increase slowed in the 1990s, compared to the 1980s. In the years from 2001 to 2003, incidence rates decreased.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman’s death is about 1 in 33 (3%). In 2007, about 40,460 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in the United States. Death rates from breast cancer continue to decline, with larger decreases in women younger than 50. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment.