Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast tissues, mostly in the ducts and lobules. It is the most common cancer among Canadian women. Although rare, breast cancer also occurs in men.

It has been estimated that for the year 2011, 23,600 women would be diagnosed with breast cancer and that 5,300 would die from the disease. For that same year, an estimated 190 men would also be diagnosed with breast cancer and 55 would die from it.

One in nine women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Based on recent statistics, one in 29 women will die of it.

Breast cancer death rates have declined in all ages combined and in every age group since at least the mid 1990s. Incidence and death rates for breast cancer have declined since 1969 in women aged 20-39. This decline has been accelerating since 2002. This can be imputed both to a more frequent use of mammography screening and to the higher effectiveness of post-operative adjuvant therapy. Indeed, the current mortality rate from breast cancer has never been as low since 1980.

Types of breast cancer
Causes – Risk factors
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatments
Prognosis

References