Female Breast Cancer

General Statistics

Leading Cause of Death

In Illinois, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women
In Illinois, breast cancer incidence rates are highest in Black and White women and lowest in Hispanic women, and mortality rates are highest in Black women and lowest in Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander women

New Diagnoses (Incidence)

In the United States, the incidence of breast cancer has increased from 124.8 per 100,000 in 2008 to 125.1 per 100,000 in 2017
In Illinois, the incidence of breast cancer has increased from 127.1 per 100,000 in 2008 to 132.0 per 100,000 in 2017
In 2017, there were a total of 250,520 new breast cancer cases in the United States and a total of 10,332 new breast cancer cases in Illinois

Deaths (Mortality)

In the United States, mortality of breast cancer has decreased from 22.6 per 100,000 in 2008 to 19.9 per 100,000 in 2017
In Illinois, mortality from breast cancer has decreased from 23.8 per 100,000 in 2008 to 20.4 per 100,000 in 2017
In 2017, there were a total of 42,000 deaths from breast cancer in the United States and a total of 1,708 deaths from breast cancer in Illinois

Risk Factors

The primary risk factors for breast cancer include being a woman and older age. Women at higher risk for breast cancer include those with a family history of breast cancer or those with inherited changes (mutations) in their BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Other risk factors include:

Starting period before age 12
Starting menopause after age 55
Having dense breasts
Having already had breast cancer or certain breast conditions such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Having a family history of ovarian cancer
Having received radiation treatments to the chest before age 30
Pregnant women who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) between 1940 and 1971, or women whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them
Not physically active and being overweight or obese
Taking hormone therapy medications that include estrogen and progesterone for more than five years during menopause
Taking certain birth control pills
Giving birth to first child after age 30 or having never been pregnant
Drinking alcohol

Prevention and Early Detection

Screening for breast cancer is recommended for women ages 40 to 74 years. Two screening tests are available:

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast
A breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the breast; it is used along with mammograms to screen women at high risk

Other exams include:

A clinical breast exam is when a doctor uses their hand to feel for lumps or changes
A breast self-exam to become familiar with how your breasts look and feel; if there are any new changes or unusual signs, speak with a health care provider

Risk reduction methods for women at high risk of breast cancer include:

Preventive medications (chemoprevention)
Preventive surgery to remove healthy breasts

Lifestyle factors that can lower a person’s risk for breast cancer include:

Maintaining a healthy weight and diet
Getting regular exercise
Not drinking alcohol or limiting the number of drinks consumed
Breastfeeding, if possible
Having a discussion with a physician about the benefits and risks of taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills