Since 1990, the number of breast cancer-related deaths in the United States has decreased by 43.5%. This decline has been consistent among women aged 40 to 74, the age group recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for biennial screening.
However, a recent study published in the Journal of Breast Imaging reveals that this progress has stalled for several groups, including younger women (20 to 39 years old) and older women (75 and above). Not only this, breast cancer mortality rates have stopped declining for Native American, Hispanic, and Asian women.
On the other hand, while death rates have continued to decrease for both Black and White women, there is still a long way to go. Notably, breast cancer mortality rates remain 39% higher among Black women as compared to White women.
What has caused this shift?
Researchers are observing a concerning trend: an increase in breast cancer, as well as other cancers like thyroid, liver, and colorectal cancer, among younger adults. Traditionally, age has been the primary risk factor for cancer, however, there have been growing instances of younger women getting cancer too (from 20-39 years of age)
Importance of this age bracket
Naomi Ko, MD, MPH, an associate professor of medicine at Boston University and a medical oncologist at Boston Medical Center, emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue. Experts attribute the rise in cancer cases to factors such as increasing obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles, and alcohol consumption, all of which elevate cancer risk.
Younger women are missing signs
Moreover, since routine cancer screenings are not typically conducted in adults under 40, cancers may be overlooked in their early stages, when they are most treatable. This underscores the need for increased awareness and potentially adjusted screening strategies for younger adults.
The decline in breast cancer death rates came to a halt for younger women in 2010 and for older women in 2013. During the early 2010s, there was a notable shift in breast cancer awareness, potentially influenced by changes in screening guidelines. This change may have contributed to the stabilization of breast cancer mortality rates in these age groups.
Leaving out certain groups
Women aged 75 and older may be overlooked for breast cancer screenings, even when they are warranted. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended biennial mammograms for women between 40-74 years old with an average risk of breast cancer. As a result, some physicians might not recommend screenings for women over 74. A survey of primary care providers revealed that doctors consider factors such as a patient's health, breast cancer risk, and personal preferences when deciding whether to suggest screening for women over 74. However time constraints, along with other factors, halt this process repeatedly.
However, a recent study published in the Journal of Breast Imaging reveals that this progress has stalled for several groups, including younger women (20 to 39 years old) and older women (75 and above). Not only this, breast cancer mortality rates have stopped declining for Native American, Hispanic, and Asian women.
On the other hand, while death rates have continued to decrease for both Black and White women, there is still a long way to go. Notably, breast cancer mortality rates remain 39% higher among Black women as compared to White women.
What has caused this shift?
Researchers are observing a concerning trend: an increase in breast cancer, as well as other cancers like thyroid, liver, and colorectal cancer, among younger adults. Traditionally, age has been the primary risk factor for cancer, however, there have been growing instances of younger women getting cancer too (from 20-39 years of age)
Importance of this age bracket
Naomi Ko, MD, MPH, an associate professor of medicine at Boston University and a medical oncologist at Boston Medical Center, emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue. Experts attribute the rise in cancer cases to factors such as increasing obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles, and alcohol consumption, all of which elevate cancer risk.
Younger women are missing signs
Moreover, since routine cancer screenings are not typically conducted in adults under 40, cancers may be overlooked in their early stages, when they are most treatable. This underscores the need for increased awareness and potentially adjusted screening strategies for younger adults.
The decline in breast cancer death rates came to a halt for younger women in 2010 and for older women in 2013. During the early 2010s, there was a notable shift in breast cancer awareness, potentially influenced by changes in screening guidelines. This change may have contributed to the stabilization of breast cancer mortality rates in these age groups.
Leaving out certain groups
Women aged 75 and older may be overlooked for breast cancer screenings, even when they are warranted. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended biennial mammograms for women between 40-74 years old with an average risk of breast cancer. As a result, some physicians might not recommend screenings for women over 74. A survey of primary care providers revealed that doctors consider factors such as a patient's health, breast cancer risk, and personal preferences when deciding whether to suggest screening for women over 74. However time constraints, along with other factors, halt this process repeatedly.
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