Age distribution

Studies have shown that the risk for having breast cancer is due to a combination of factors. One of the main factors that influences the incidence of breast cancer is age, with the highest incidence rates being in older people. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years or older.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends mammograms for women at average risk as follows:
1) Age between 40 and 44 – option to start screening annually,
2) Age between 45 to 54 – mammogram recommended every year, and
3) Age between 55 and older – can switch to mammogram every other year, or continue annually.

Women who are at high risk for breast cancer (based on the risk factors of breast cancer posted on 5th October) should undergo a breast MRI and a mammogram every year, typically starting at age 30.

In the analysis of data from a sample size of 13,298 breast cancer cases from our biobank, we found that the mean age of the patients with breast cancer is 52, and the median is 56.

Detecting and diagnosing breast cancer early is the most effective way to reduce mortality rates. The emphasis on early detection of breast cancer is due to the significant impact it has on the survival rate. According to the ACS, the 5-year survival rates for localized breast cancer (cancer that has not spread beyond the breast) is 99%.

References:
Yedjou CG et al., Adv Exp Med Biol. 2019, Ho PJ et al., Genet Med. 2023, Kang SY et al., J Breast Cancer. 2021, Co M et al., Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2020, Sinha S et al., J Surg Res. 2022