Breast Cancer: Rates of New Cases and Deaths

Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early.

Chart: Female Breast Cancer Incidence and Death Rates, U.S. Rate per 100,000 for all women: Incidence rate 120.4; Death rate 22.8. Not counting some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. Breast cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women, and the second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

In the United States in 2007 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), 202,964 women were told they had breast cancer, and 40,598 women died from it.

The graph shows how many women out of 100,000 got breast cancer in 2007; this is called the incidence rate.* The graph also shows how many women out of 100,000 died from breast cancer in 2007; this is called the death rate.* The breast cancer incidence and death rates are grouped by race and ethnicity.

For example, white women had the highest incidence rate for breast cancer. Black women had the second highest incidence rate, followed by Hispanic,† Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women. On the other hand, black women had the highest death rate for breast cancer, followed by white, Hispanic,† American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander women.

Data source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2007 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2010. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.

Reducing Risk

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you are age 50 to 74 years, be sure to have a screening mammogram every two years. If you are age 40–49 years, talk to your doctor about when and how often you should have a screening mammogram. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost mammograms. Find out if you qualify.

Chart: Female Breast Cancer Incidence and Death Rates by Race and Ethnicity, United States

More Information

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