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.