Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death and, excluding skin cancers, the most frequently diagnosed cancer among females in the US.1 The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer among females is one in eight.1 Breast cancer is typically diagnosed during a screening examination. An estimated 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 43,600 breast cancer-related deaths are expected to occur among females nationally in 2021.1 At the state level, in 2021, an estimated 5,460 new cases of female breast cancer and 910 deaths are expected to occur.1 White and African American females have similar incidence rates; however, African American females have higher mortality rates.2 This may be, in part, because of late diagnosis, diagnosis in younger individuals, more aggressive breast cancers diagnosed in African American women, and barriers to health care access.2 Today, there are 3.8 million US females who are breast cancer survivors.1 Females should have frequent conversations with their health care providers about their risks for breast cancer and how often they should be screened. Breast cancer is rare among males, as an estimated 2,650 cases will occur among US men in 2021.1 However, because males are prone to ignoring warning signs, they are often diagnosed at later stages and have poorer prognoses. During 2021, it’s estimated that 530 men are expected to die from breast cancer.1
Resources
- Breast Cancer Fact Sheet — Use this fact sheet to educate your partners and communities. The fact sheet provides information and statistics on the breast cancer burden in Indiana.
- Social Media Toolkit for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) — This tool kit from The George Washington University is designed to strengthen communication efforts and contains evidence-informed communication strategies.
- American Cancer Society Cancer Facts and Figures: Breast Cancer — Provides current statistics and information on breast cancer in Indiana in convenient PDF form. This can be linked to documents, or used on websites, in presentations, or through social media.
- Indiana Cancer Control Plan 2021 – 2022 — Provides a roadmap for cancer control in Indiana. The ICCP includes six focus areas: primary prevention, early detection, treatment, quality of life, data, and advocacy. This can be linked to documents, websites, presentations, or through social media.
Additional and online resources:
- Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
- Susan G. Komen of Central Indiana
- Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities
- American Cancer Society
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Breast Cancer
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
- National Cancer Institute- Breast Cancer information for patients
- National Cancer Institute- Breast Cancer information for health professionals
- National Cancer Survivorship Resource Center
- National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
- The Patient Advocate Foundation
- American Society of Clinical Oncology: Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Care Plans
- Breast Self-Exam
- The Importance of Mammography
- Lower Your Breast Cancer Risk
References
- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2021. Atlanta, GA. 2021.
- American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2019-2020. Atlanta, GA. 2019.