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National Breast Cancer Rates Are Decreasing, CDC Reports

by

Joseph

The results of a recent US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study show that medical science is making headway in lowering breast cancer mortality rates among women in the US. Although, breast cancer remains the leading cancer among women, this is good news for everyone hoping to put an end to this disease.

The findings which were published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) show that during 2010 - 2014, the US underwent a significant decrease in breast cancer mortality rates among white women and while, rates of breast cancer among black women was not shown to be declining as quickly, the disease was taking fewer black lives.

The most noticeable decline is among younger women. In fact, the pace of decreasing breast cancer rates for black and white women under age 50 was the same. Comparing women ≥50 years of age, breast cancer rates declined more rapidly among white women.

Unfortunately, there is a higher incidence of breast cancer among women aged 60 - 79 years of age.

Study author Lisa C. Richardson and her colleagues aren't quite certain about the cause for the increased incidence among older black women, but they believe increased use of mammography may hold part of the answer. Also, there is a relationship between obesity and cancer. Black women tend to be overweight or obese - and people generally store more body fat as they age - all of which could account for the higher incidence.

The authors credit education as playing a very important role in the improving numbers.

"Continued decreases involve accelerating current progress and understanding breast cancer genomics for predicting risk and promoting effective treatment through new initiatives like the Precision Medicine Initiative and Cancer Moonshot." Richardson and her colleagues published in the MMWR.

They point to advanced understanding of breast cancer subtypes has enabled health care professionals to give black women diagnosed with breast cancer appropriate treatment based on their particular subtype. Prior to this, many physicians were unaware that black women tend to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, this lack of awareness hampered effective disease treatment.

Richardson and her colleagues recommend that "Public health professionals need to work in tandem with scientists and clinical researchers to monitor the successes of these newly developed therapies by assessing disparities at a population level using trends in incidence and death rates."

 

Although breast cancer is a very serious disease, there are ways that women may reduce their risk.

According to the CDC, these eight tips may help lower breast cancer risk:

  • Keep a healthy weight.
  • Exercise regularly (at least four hours a week).
  • Get a good night's sleep. Research shows that lack of nighttime sleep can be a risk factor.
  • Abstain from drinking alcohol, or limit alcoholic drinks to no more than one per day.
  • Avoid exposure to cancer causing agents (carcinogens) and chemicals that interfere with the normal function of the body.

  • If you are presently taking, or have been told by your doctor to take hormone replacement therapy or oral birth control pills, ask your doctor about the risks and if its right for you.
  • If possible, breastfeed any children you may have.

The CDC also said that women with a family history of breast cancer or inherited changes in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes maybe at higher risk, these women are advised to talk to their physician about more ways to reduce their breast cancer risk.

 

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Article References

Richardson LC, Henley SJ, Miller JW, Massetti G, & Thomas CC (2016). Patterns and Trends in Age-Specific Black-White Differences in Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality - United States, 1999-2014. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 65 (40), 1093-1098 PMID: 27736827

CDC - Breast Cancer Statistics

 

"National Breast Cancer Rates Are Decreasing, CDC Reports" copyright © 2016 Living Fit, Healthy and Happy(SM). All Rights Reserved.

 

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