A new report from the American Cancer Society released earlier this month presents a mixed picture on breast cancer. The study's release coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The biennial report shows deaths from breast cancer are continuing to drop. They are down 44% between 1989 and 2022. That means more than half a million deaths were averted.
Researchers credit better screening, early detection, and treatments. While this was a positive development, the report also found a more disturbing trend.
The number of breast cancer cases increased by 1% between 2012 and 2021. Researchers say the increase was even greater for women under 50 years old, and for Asian American/Pacific Islander women.
It is unclear why this is happening. Dr. Nikki Tirada is the Director of Women's Imaging at Adventist Healthcare.
"I think it is perhaps because there is more screening available and a change in lifestyle," Tirada said.
"Asian women who have lived in the United States for more than 10 years have developed a similar risk factor for breast cancer compared to white women. So lifestyle and diet may be factors. People who are obese also can increase their risk for breast cancer," Tirada added.
Other racial disparities still exist. Black women have a 38% higher death rate from breast cancer than white women. Oftentimes, black women have a more aggressive form of breast cancer that is harder to treat.
Tirada said the breast cancer trends identified in the national study are happening in Montgomery County. She said one area of concern among minority populations is with screening. She said during Covid-19, there was a huge delay to get women in for tests. However, in this post-Covid era, some women still have not returned to the office and resumed regular screenings.
Tirada said places like Adventist Healthcare are doing a lot of outreach to connect with these groups to try to get more people tested.
A new recommendation came out earlier this year from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on when women should undergo their first mammogram. The Task Force suggests women start getting mammograms at age 40. The previous recommendation was at age 50. However, women who may be at higher risk of getting breast cancer should consult their doctor about possibly having a mammogram even sooner than 40.
Early detection is often the key to surviving breast cancer.
"If you detect breast cancer early before it becomes invasive, your survival rate is really good. There is also a lot of advancement in treatment," Tirada said.
Cancer doctors are now treating patients with "personalized medicine". Tirada said this has become a standard of care today. Doctors will create a genetic profile for a woman's cancer, and she will get a targeted treatment for her disease.
Tirada said it is important for women to understand their risk for getting breast cancer. She said if a woman knows her mother developed breast cancer at a young age, for example, before she turned 40, that woman should consider getting screened for the disease at an even earlier age.
While some women may be at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, there are steps they can take to reduce their chances of developing the disease. That includes exercising, avoiding alcohol, and eating a healthy diet. Women who smoke also increase their risk, and should quit.
Besides mammograms, women at higher risk also should consider supplemental screenings. Those include breast ultrasounds or even an MRI.
Adventist Healthcare is offering a free breast health risk assessment. Women who complete the form will receive a personalized report on their risk level.
Here is a link for more information:
https://www.adventisthealthcare.com/living-well/risk-assessments/
In addition, Adventist Healthcare is offering a free virtual community Health Chat to help women learn more about annual mammogram screening. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 23.
Here is a link for more information:
https://www.adventisthealthcare.com/calendar/details/?eventId=3c716025-db75-ef11-a86b-000d3a611ea2