The American Cancer Society publishes projected numbers of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. The most recent report predicts that about 279,790 women this coming year will be initially diagnosed. Of this number, 55,720 will have some form of ductal malignancy. There will be about 43,700 women who will die from breast cancer. 

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death for females, with lung cancer being the most prominent. The chances of a new breast malignancy diagnosis will be one in eight females—or a 13 percent chance of developing cancer. 

Black women have the highest number of total cases, compared to white and Hispanic females, along with the highest death rate. 

Asians and Pacific Islanders have the lowest number of breast cancer diagnoses, followed by Native American and Alaska Native women. 

The overall incidence of breast cancer has decreased slowly over the past decades, due in part to better diagnostic tools, routine screening and newer treatments. Recommendations for earlier mammograms have also improved in picking up early malignancies.

Advances in genetic testing

Advances in genetic testing and immunotherapy grow each year. 

With improved tests of tumors, the doctor has new tools to individualize treatment for each woman. Tumor markers are being discovered each year. Each year, new immunotherapy agents are being approved that will more effectively attack tumor cells, rather than the previous use of the “one size fits all” approach for selecting chemotherapy agents. 

Oncologists now have many more effective ways of selecting immunotherapy agents that will improve the overall quality of life by using better tolerated drugs and in many cases increase the life expectancy of the woman. 

While there is no universal cure for breast cancer, recent breakthroughs have extended life expectancy and improved quality of life for many people. 

3-D mammography is the latest advancement in imaging the breast. Instead of relying on only a two-dimensional view of the breast, this machine takes multiple images to create a 3-D image. This new technology reduces the number of false positive findings. 

There is also an increased use of MRI imaging to help better define a possible tumor. 

Many women undergo unnecessary surgery each year because of faulty X-ray results.

Current and future challenges

Even though there are encouraging statistics and new drugs coming from the many research centers in our country for treating breast and other cancers, there remains the issue of affordability of the new drugs and diagnostic equipment—and who will pay for them. Racial and socio-economic factors continue to play an important part in the ability of women to find quality health care in their communities. Fortunately, there are many national and local organizations that address many of these problems, but who picks up the expenses remains a constant issue.