Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of death among women in the United States. Although mortality rates had decreased between 1998 and 2005, globally more than 400,000 women still die from breast cancer each year.  Women breast cancer survivors number over 2.5 million in the United States alone.  Breast cancer can also develop in men as well, however it is not as common.

Race and ethnicity play a significant role in the rates of new breast cancer cases. White women are the most likely to develop breast cancer. However, black and Latin women have a higher lethality rate and die from the disease than white women due late diagnosis of the disease.  American Indian/Alaska Native women have the lowest chances of developing the disease.

Early detection is critical in both women and men.  It is difficult to treat cancer in its advanced stages.  Education and increased awareness of breast cancer screening for minority women may decrease mortality rates in these population segments.