Breast Cancer Facts

Breast Cancer Facts
Not counting some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer in the United States is
• The most common cancer in women, no matter your race or ethnicity.
• The most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women.
• The second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

Statistics
Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2009, 195,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed; 40,500 people will die as a result of breast cancer.

In 2005 (the most recent year numbers are available)
• 186,467 women and 1,764 men were diagnosed with breast cancer.*
• 41,116 women and 375 men died from breast cancer.*†

The graph below shows how breast cancer compares to other common causes of death in women of all ages.



†Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2005 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.

*Note: Incidence counts cover approximately 96% of the U.S. population and death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts.