1. Breast Cancer is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide.
2. Every 50 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer. In 2020, there were an estimated 684,996 deaths from breast cancer.
A disproportionate number of these deaths occur in low-resources settings.
3. Men can also get breast cancer.
A man’s lifetime risk of breast caner is about 1 in 1000.
4. Breast Cancer is more common in the left breast than in the right.
The reason is unknown.
5. Breast cancer five year survival rates in high income countries exceed 90%. Thanks to early detection, better screening, increased awareness and new treatment options.
6. However, a very high percentage of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage in many low and middle-income countries, when the cancer is more difficult and expensive to treat and is usually incurable.
7. Breast Cancer symptoms aren’t the same for everyone.
Any changes in the breasts should be discussed with a doctor immediately.
8. A woman’s risk of developing breast cancer doubles if her mother, sister or daughter has or had breast cancer.
9. 8 out of 10 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women aged 50 and over. A known risk factor of breast cancer is ageing. However, young women can and do get breast cancer, even in their twenties.
10. Early detection of breast cancer can significantly reduce the risk of death. Women should know the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer and participate in early detection and screening programmes.
