Vital Statistics

National Statistics

• An estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2008 with another 1,990 cases diagnosed in men.
• This year, an estimated 40,480 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer.
• Invasive breast cancer develops when abnormal cells from inside the lobules or ducts break out into the surrounding breast tissue. This opens the opportunity for cancer to spread to the lymph nodes and, in advanced stages, to organs like the liver, lungs, and bones.
• In addition to invasive breast cancer, 67,770 new cases of in situ breast cancer are expected to occur among women in 2008. Of these, approximately 85 percent will be ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). (Note: “in situ” breast cancer means that abnormal cells have grown inside the lobules or milk ducts but have not spread to the surrounding tissue or beyond.)
• There is a new case of breast cancer diagnosed every 3 minutes.

National Statistics (Continued)

• Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 40–59, and the second leading cause of death among women between the ages of 35–54.
• One in eight women will develop breast cancer by the age of 65.

Virginia Statistics

• Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women under the age of 65.

Local Statistics

• In Hampton Roads, breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women between the ages of 40–70.