A Look at Breast Cancer Statistics

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring non skin cancer and is the number two killer of American women behind heart disease. These and other breast cancer statistics can help us understand the prevalence of breast cancer over time, the mortality rates resulting from breast cancer and how early detection and treatment affects the overall prognosis. Understanding breast cancer statistics enables researchers to tease out other information in hopes of bringing us a more effective treatment or perhaps closer to a cure. By examining the breast cancer statistics which chart the disease’s prevalence over the course of several decades we can see that this research is having a positive effect on survival rates. For example, the National Cancer Institute’s breast cancer statistics show that although the number of overall cases has increased, the overall death rate has steadily declined since the 1990’s. What this statistic seems to indicate is that medical advances, as well as early detection from increased awareness, are having a positive result in the fight against breast cancer.

More breast cancer statistics worth examining are those which show higher overall cases of breast cancer among the white population, but a higher mortality rate for African Americans suffering from breast cancer. These particular breast cancer statistics may point to specific genetic factor adversely affecting African American women with breast cancer or from a sociological perspective, may highlight a disparity between medical care received among different racial groups. Again, by researching the cause behind this statistic, medical advancements could perhaps be gained or perhaps a closer look at social inequality may be warranted.

A geographical look at breast cancer statistics may allow us to pin point certain environmental factors contributing to high rates of breast cancer. For instance, a manufacturing plant utilizing a certain chemical may be adversely affecting the local environment and the residents thereof. By analyzing breast cancer statistics from a geographical view, chemical alternatives could be used or regulations placed on factories to minimize the danger. Breast cancer statistics are a useful guide in showing the trajectory of this devastating disease and increasing awareness of potential risk factors and preventative care.