Breast Cancer: Statistics

Healthcare provider talking to woman.What are statistics?

Statistics are numbers that are used to measure certain things. Some people use statistics to figure out their chances of getting cancer. Or they use them to try to figure out their chance of recovery. Because no 2 people are alike, statistics can’t be used to predict what will happen to 1 person. The statistics below describe large groups of people. They don’t take into account a person's own risk factors. These may include family history, behaviors, or not having cancer screenings. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare provider.

What are the statistics for breast cancer?

Here are some statistics about breast cancer:

  • About 266,120 women and 2,550 men in the U.S. will be told they have invasive breast cancer in 2018.

  • Breast cancer ranks second as a cause of cancer death in women. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women.

  • A woman’s risk of having breast cancer increases as she gets older.

  • About 40,920 women and 480 men will die from breast cancer in 2018.

  • Death rates from breast cancer have been going down since 1989. This is thought to be due to better treatment and better ways to find it early, when it's small and easier to treat.

 

Source: American Cancer Society