Breast Cancer- Statistics on Incidence, Survival, and Screening

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women today (after lung cancer) and is the most common cancer among women, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.2 million people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year worldwide. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2004, approximately 215,990 women in the United States will be diagnosed invasive breast cancer (Stages I-IV). Another 59,390 women will be diagnosed with in situ breast cancer, a very early form of the disease. Though much less common, breast cancer also occurs in men. An estimated 1450 cases will be diagnosed in men in 2004.