Study shows fewer breast cancer deaths overall—but cases are rising in younger women

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and new data from the American Cancer Society proves that wearing pink isn’t enough to protect yourself from the disease. Turns out that while breast cancer deaths are declining overall, cases are consistently on the rise, including among younger women—that means we’re not out of the woods on this one just yet.

The study, recently published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, included some much-deserved good news with regards to breast cancer deaths in the U.S. It seems the overall rate has dropped roughly 44% between 1989 and 2022, which accounts for 518,000 fewer deaths due to the disease during that time period. Translation: A major win for women and men, who are also at risk for developing breast cancer.

Still, the researchers did note a consistent 1% increase in cancer cases each year between 2012 and 2021, with a “slightly higher increase in the rate of breast cancer diagnosis for women who are under age 50 versus those that are above age 50,” as Karen Knudsen, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said in a statement.

Research has shown a sharp increase in cancer rates worldwide among patients under 50—including breast cancer—proving that young adults must remain vigilant about any changes in their health. But it’s patients of color who are at the highest risk, with Black women 38% higher than white women to die of breast cancer, despite being 5% less likely to develop the disease in the first place.

“If you look actually more carefully at the mortality data, this is really driven by young women particularly,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society. “If you look at Black women between the ages of 20 and 29, their chances of dying from breast cancer is two times greater than their white colleagues.”

Rates are also increasing among Asian American and Pacific Islander women, at 2.7% per year for women under 50 and at 2.5% per year in women 50 and older. Researchers are looking into any potential gene mutations that might account for this specific increase, but it’s further proof that racial disparities and inequities in U.S. healthcare continue to underserve non-white and/or marginalized communities the most.

The overall decline in deaths—a true silver lining—can be attributed to advances in treatment options and early screening measures, which now include routine mammograms for women 40 and under.

Oncologists, though, are understandably concerned about the uptick in cases among patients under 50. Dr. Carmen Calfa, a medical oncologist at the University of Miami Health System’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and associate director of Sylvester’s community breast cancer outreach program, told CNN that her youngest breast cancer patient received a diagnosis at 20.

“While we’re noticing the increase in incidence of breast cancer in younger patients, the trends have been really significant and consistent throughout other cancer types, and that makes us wonder, it’s not only a breast-specific finding,” she said.

Though the news can feel scary, especially if you have a history of breast cancer in your family, you’re not alone. With so many barriers and high costs to preventative care, organizations like Planned Parenthood offer cancer screenings, and the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides diagnostic testing for both diseases to those who are un- or underinsured. Monthly breast self-exams can help you stay on top of anything that feels new or unusual, and discussing any risk factors with your doctor is always a good idea, no matter the concern.