5 figures on breast cancer, the most common among women

The annual communication and fundraising campaign for breast cancer research begins this Sunday, October 1st. Born in the United Kingdom in the 1980s, Pink October aims to raise awareness about screening and the risks of breast cancer, the leading cause of cancer death among women.

► One in eight women suffer from breast cancer in their lifetime

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Nearly one in eight women will be affected during their lifetime, or around 60,000 new people affected each year in France.

This figure is slightly increasing over the period 2010-2023, by 0.3% per year, as recently revealed by Public Health France, the National Cancer Institute (Inca), the Hospices Civils de Lyon and the French network of registers. cancers.

► 12,000 deaths per year

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in France. In 2018, 12,100 people died from it. The mortality rate, however, fell by 1.6% per year over the period 2010-2018, according to Inca data.

► 80% of breast cancers develop after age 50

One of the main risk factors for developing breast cancer is age: 80% of breast cancers develop after the age of 50, and the median age at diagnosis is 64 years.

Screening mammography is therefore recommended every two years between the ages of 50 and 74, for patients without symptoms or risk factors. After age 74, screening is not abandoned, but individualized. The clinical examination is also recommended every year from the age of 25.

► Three of four breast cancers cured thanks to screening

More than three out of four breast cancers are cured thanks to screening. This medical check-up allows for early diagnosis and the prescription of appropriate treatments. The survival rate for breast cancer is 88% for cancer detected in an early phase.

► 1% of men concerned

Although less often targeted by communication campaigns, men are also affected by this disease, but much more rarely. Less than 1% of all breast cancers affect men.

A man’s risk of developing breast cancer also increases with age. Thus, breast cancer is more frequently diagnosed in men over 60 years old. Men who have a close relative with breast cancer are also at greatest risk.

Source