Breast cancer rates increase in women under 50
Oct 3, 2024, 9:00 AM | Updated: 10:39 am
FILE - A radiologist uses a magnifying glass to check mammograms for breast cancer in Los Angeles, May 6, 2010. Breast cancer rates are rising among women under 50. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — A new study by the American Cancer Society found that breast cancer rates have risen in the last decade. Specifically, researchers said there was a sharp rise in breast cancer in women under the age of 50.
Jeff Caplan spoke to Dr. David Peterson, a radiologist with Intermountain Health to break down the numbers.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
DR. DAVID PETERSON: The good news is that there’s never been a better time to be diagnosed with breast cancer. The treatments are so much better than they used to be. And the survival rates are very high. Especially when we catch breast cancer early.
But the startling news is that we are seeing those rates rise, particularly in younger women. … We’re seeing it’s about a 1% per year increase over time
We’re not exactly sure why that’s happening. This is particularly in women under age 50. [That’s] below the age where we previously recommended screening examinations.
We recommend that all women [of average risk] start at the age of 40. But there’s a lot of women who are at increased risk for breast cancer that don’t know it. And we recommend that those women start screening even younger.
CAPLAN: Are there any theories or postulates about why there’s been this sharp rise?
PETERSON: That’s the million dollar question. There’s a lot of research going into this right now. Because we are seeing such a sharp rise in a short period of time, I think researchers agree it has to be something environmental.
One thing that does increase women’s risk for breast cancer is obesity. And we know that obesity rates are rising as well. But a lot of these young women with breast cancer aren’t necessarily obese women. So I think it almost certainly has to be something environmentally.
CAPLAN: Do you think recommendations could change for women to get screenings for breast cancer earlier in life?
PETERSON: The thing is, women can’t really know if they’re at average risk unless they undergo a breast cancer risk assessment.
We recommend that women meet with their doctor, ideally [in their] early twenties, to talk about their breast cancer risk. There are lots of things that go into a woman’s breast cancer risk, not just family history.
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