Surge in late-stage breast cancer rates, especially among younger women: Study – Times of India

Late-stage breast cancer diagnosis in younger women aged 20-39 years as well as women over 75 has risen sharply, as per a study published in the journal Radiology.
The rates of advanced-stage breast cancer at diagnosis have increased among women in all racial and ethnic groups, but Black women are the most affected, as per the new study, which incorporated data from 2004 to 2021. The study found that Black women experience advanced diagnoses 55% more often compared to white women and are more likely to die from the disease.
Late-stage breast cancer or advanced breast cancer refers to the malignancy that has spread to other parts of the body like bones, lungs, liver or brain.As more and more women are being diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer, their five-year survival rates may drop drastically. As the cancer advances the chances of survival are significantly affected compared to early stage cancers that can be treated with high success rates. Five-year survival rates drop drastically from 99% for early-stage breast cancer to just 31% when the cancer is more advanced and has already spread to other parts of the body, the study found.

The study found that fewer than 70% of eligible women are up to date on their screenings including mammography, the study found. While Black women have similar self-reported mammography use rates as white women, the group still found themselves at a greater risk of breast cancer.
“Black women tend to have more aggressive breast cancers, including a higher rate of triple-negative breast cancers,” study co-author, Edward Hendrick, Ph.D., clinical professor of radiology at the University of Colorado told ABC News. “There may also be differences in how findings are acted upon, reflecting barriers to high-quality care.”

Many women also skipped or delayed screenings during Covid-19 pandemic which made progression of cancer easier.
“Volumes at screening sites for the year 2020 were down as much as 90% from 2019 levels,” he said. “These missed screenings contributed to higher rates of advanced breast cancers in 2021 and likely subsequent years.”

Risk factors for breast cancer

While breast cancer risk increases with age, typically after 50 years, some women may have certain genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2, that may increase breast and ovarian cancer risk.
Women who get early periods, say before the age of 12 and have menopause after the age 55 are more at risk of breast cancer as it exposes women to hormones longer.
Having dense breasts can at times make it hard to see tumors on a mammogram. Women with dense breasts are also more likely to get breast cancer. Those who have already had breast cancer are more likely to get it a second time. Having a family history of breast cancer may also increase risk for breast cancer.