Breast cancer, one of the most prevalent cancers among women, involves the uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast. Though it can affect both men and women, it is far more common in women.
The impact of breast cancer is beyond physical; it will impact emotional and financial wellness. Early detection brought about by regular screening, coupled with steps in improving treatment, has greatly raised survival rates, but the journey remains challenging.
Prevalence of Breast Cancer
Globally, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, with 2.3 million cases diagnosed and 670,000 deaths occurring from this cancer alone in 2020, according to the WHO. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, particularly after puberty and in older age.
In the U.S., one woman in eight, or 13%, faces the risk of developing invasive breast cancer some time during her lifetime. While the danger of breast cancer is one of the health risks for women, over the years, survival rates have improved due to advances in treatments and early detection.
Breast Cancer Survival Statistics
Survival rates can vary extremely depending on the stage in which the cancer has been diagnosed. For instance, the 5-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer – cancers that have not spread beyond the surface of the breast – is as high as 99%. However, it goes down when the tumor advances to severe stages of the malignancy.
According to American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer would be diagnosed, and 42,250 breast cancer deaths would occur in the US in the year 2024.
Breast Cancer Costs
The cost of breast cancer is high, thus ranging widely depending on the exact stage at diagnosis and the types of treatments necessary. For example, early-stage treatments, such as surgery for stage 0 breast cancer, can cost an average of $50,000 in the first six months, increasing to over $70,000 over two years.
In more advanced cases, such as Stage III, the costs are between $84,400 and close to $160,000. Knowing the likely costs beforehand and planning for them is very helpful in controlling the financial burden usually incurred during the treatment process.
Where to Find More Breast Cancer Information
Those who would like to attain a deeper understanding of breast cancer can get clear information from the following sources:
American Cancer Society (ACS)
- Pros: It gives a clear resource on everything from risk factors to treatment options, including new research and survival statistics. Refer to their article entitled, What Is Breast Cancer? [4]
- Cons: It can be overwhelming due to the extensive amount of information. It may not be as user-friendly for those looking for quick answers.
Breastcancer.org
- Pros: It is extensively about breast cancer, with detailed information regarding symptoms, treatment, and personal experiences shared. Please refer to their Facts and Statistics section for further details. [5]
- Cons: The site can be extensive, which may require navigating through a lot of content.
WebMD
- Pros: It provides overviews about breast cancer in article form with quick information, which is easily understood. Refer to Understanding Breast Cancer Basics for more details. [6]
- Cons: Information may be less detailed than other sources. Often uses simplified explanations that might lack depth.
Cleveland Clinic
- Pros: It provides the symptoms of breast cancer, types, causes, and treatments in exclusive articles. Well-regarded for its authoritative medical content. You can learn more about it from their article Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Types, Causes & Treatment. [7]
- Cons: The content may be more technical and less accessible for those without a medical background.
Mayo Clinic
- Pros: It is committed to helping you make the best choices about your health. Here’s a guide to the highest quality and most up-to-date medical information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of breast cancer. [8]
- Cons: Information might be more general and less tailored to specific patient concerns.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Pros: The CDC offers critical information on the basics of breast cancer through prevention and public health statistics. It is excellent for understanding the broader public health perspective. To learn more, access Breast Cancer Basics. [9]
- Cons: The focus is more on public health rather than individual treatment details.
Jordan Breast Cancer Program (JBCP)
- Pros: The Jordan Breast Cancer Program (JBCP) provides clear infographics on the different stages of breast cancer, making it easier to visually understand how breast cancer progresses. You can explore more in their article Breast Cancer Staging. [10]
- Cons: It may not provide as much detailed textual information as other sources.
The Bottom Line
Breast cancer is a serious and prevalent condition, but with the right resources and support, navigating its challenges becomes more manageable. For further and more in-depth information on the topic, the sources above will be very helpful and reliable in guidance.
Reference
- World Health Organization. “Breast Cancer.” World Health Organization, 2024, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer.
- American Cancer Society. “Survival Rates for Breast Cancer.” Www.cancer.org, 1 Mar. 2023, www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis/breast-cancer-survival-rates.html.
- WebMd. “The Costs of Breast Cancer.” WebMD, 2021, www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-costs.
- American Cancer Society. “What Is Breast Cancer? | American Cancer Society.” Www.cancer.org, American Cancer Society, 19 Nov. 2021, www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/what-is-breast-cancer.html.
- BreastCancer.org. “Breast Cancer Facts and Statistics.” Www.breastcancer.org, 10 Mar. 2022, www.breastcancer.org/facts-statistics.
- WebMD. “Breast Cancer.” WebMD, WebMD, Aug. 2005, www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/understanding-breast-cancer-basics.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Breast Cancer: Causes, Stage, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 25 Sept. 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3986-breast-cancer.
- Mayo Clinic. “Breast Cancer – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 10 Feb. 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470.
- CDC. “Breast Cancer Basics.” Breast Cancer, 22 Feb. 2024, www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/about/index.html.
- Breast Cancer Staging | Jordan Breast Cancer Program. Www.jbcp.jo, www.jbcp.jo/understandingbreastcancer/33.
