Is Breast Cancer Increasing in Women Under 40?

Cancer

Is Breast Cancer Increasing in Women Under 40?

By
Dana Sparks

March 1, 2013

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association claims advanced breast cancer in women ages 25 to 39 rose to 2.9 cases for every 100,000 women in 2009 from 1.53 per 100,000 in 1976. Medical director of the Adolescent and Young Adult oncology program at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the study author, Rebecca Johnson, M.D., says, “This study identifies a trend that hasn’t been described in the past. We’ll definitely need future studies to figure out why this change is occurring.”

Mayo Clinic breast cancer specialist, Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., says there are patient messages to take away from this initial study.

Sound bites with Dr. Pruthi are available in the downloads above

Expert title for broadcast cg:
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Specialist