photo by: Mackenzie Clark/Journal-World Graphic

One in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, or roughly 12.4 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER).

Most people have some personal connection to breast cancer, whether they know someone who has battled it or are themselves survivors — a term the Susan G. Komen foundation uses to describe a person “from the moment a breast cancer diagnosis is confirmed.”

But for every one person we know, how many others are fighting? How many more will likely face the disease in their lifetimes? And how can we improve our odds?

Here’s a closer look at the most up-to-date numbers available for some key breast cancer statistics.

Key to the attributions

All the information below comes from the following sources:

* SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Female Breast Cancer, National Cancer Institute, seer.cancer.gov

+ Cancer Facts & Figures 2018, American Cancer Society, cancer.org

° Susan G. Komen, komen.org

++ County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, countyhealthrankings.org

Lifetime rates and mortality

One in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, or roughly 12.4 percent. In 2015, there were an estimated 3.4 million women living with breast cancer in the U.S. *

photo by: Mackenzie Clark/Journal-World Graphic

Lifetime breast cancer rates, according to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER)

The Kansas rate of breast cancer per 100,000 women is the same as the nationwide rate: 124. It’s the most common type of cancer in women, followed by lung and bronchus as the second most common and colorectal as the third. +

However, Kansas statistics show that lung and bronchus cancer is more likely to be deadly than breast cancer. Its age-adjusted death rate is 38.3 per 100,000 women, and breast cancer’s is 20; that’s slightly lower than the nationwide rate of 20.9. +

An estimated 350 women in Kansas will die from breast cancer this year. That’s almost one a day, and it’s 6.25 percent of the 5,600 Kansas deaths expected from cancer in all sites. +

photo by: Mackenzie Clark/Journal-World Graphic

Kansas breast cancer stats, via the American Cancer Society

It’s much less common, but breast cancer does affect men. According to the National Cancer Institute, male breast cancer makes up less than 1 percent of all cases. Still, nationwide, it is estimated that there will be 2,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 480 deaths among men in 2018. +

In Kansas, 3 men died from breast cancer in 2016, out of 405 total deaths from the disease, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment annual vital statistics.

photo by: Mackenzie Clark/Journal-World Graphic

Douglas County breast cancer rates per 100,000 women, from 1998 to 2014, according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment statistics in its Kansas Information for Communities (KIC) service.

Detection and survival

The odds of beating any illness are higher when it is caught early.

For breast cancer, the relative five-year survival rate of those diagnosed worldwide is 89.7 percent. That number includes diagnoses in all stages. Over the last few decades, that rate has risen significantly; it was roughly 75 percent in the 1970s. *

photo by: Mackenzie Clark/Journal-World Graphic

Breast cancer survival rates, according to SEER

However, the rate is significantly better when the cancer is caught in its earliest stage.

When the cancer is localized, meaning it hasn’t spread beyond the breast, the five-year survival rate is 98.7 percent; for female breast cancer, 62.1 percent of cases are caught in this stage. *

As cancer begins to spread, the rates begin to decline. In a regional stage, when cancer has spread beyond the breast — such as to the nearby lymph nodes — the rate is 85.3 percent. About 31 percent of cases are diagnosed in this stage. Once it has metastasized, or spread to other parts of the body, the rate drops to 27 percent. Roughly 6 percent of cases are caught in that phase, and 2 percent are unstaged at diagnosis. *

photo by: Mackenzie Clark/Journal-World Graphic

Breast cancer (five-year) survival rate by stage at diagnosis

Survival rates, depending on the stage at diagnosis, are the same for both sexes. °

Screening stats

Mammography is the most effective screening tool to find breast cancer in most women. °

photo by: Mackenzie Clark/Journal-World Graphic

Douglas County mammography screening rates. The County Health Rankings measure the percentage of female Medicare enrollees ages 67-69 who received at least one mammogram during the last two years.

Statewide in Kansas, the estimated percentage of women ages 50 to 74 who have had a mammogram in the past two years is 75.5. That’s behind the nationwide 78.3 percent. +

However, a different source looks at a more exact data measure. The County Health Rankings measure the percentage of female Medicare enrollees ages 67-69 who received at least one mammogram during the last two years. ++ That means it’s limited in scope by age, but it’s reported from solid numbers rather than self-reports or other such measures that might not be as valid.

By that measure, the statewide screening rate is 63 percent; Douglas County’s rate is slightly better at 69 percent. ++ The county is not far behind the top 10th percentile of counties nationwide, which have a rate of 71 percent.

Warning signs

Komen’s website lists several symptoms to watch for. It says the most common signs are nipple discharge or a change in the look or feel of the breast.

Additionally, if you have any of the following warning signs, you should see a health care provider: °

• A lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area

• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast

• Change in size or shape

• Dimpling or puckering of the skin

• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple

• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast

• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly

• New pain in one spot that does not go away

The same warning signs and symptoms apply to women and men. In men, breast cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage, meaning it may be less likely to be cured, according to the National Cancer Institute. This may be in part because some men may be embarrassed and hesitant to see a doctor for changes in the breast area. °

Resources

The Affordable Care Act mandates that health insurance plans cover mammograms with no copayment every one to two years for women ages 40 and older. °

LMH Health has vouchers available so that women who cannot afford mammograms can still get screened. For more information, call the hospital at 785-505-5775.

Also, the hospital, the local branch of the NAACP and the Lawrence Public Library are teaming up to host an event — Know Your Risk: A Community Conversation about Breast Cancer — from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the library, 707 Vermont St. Experts will share information about disparities among racial and ethnic groups, risk factors, prevention and more.

In Kansas, the Early Detection Works program helps with education, screenings, diagnosis and referrals for women who qualify. It targets those between ages 40 and 64 who are uninsured and whose incomes fall at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty levels. Visit kdheks.gov/edw or call 1-877-277-1368 to find out if you might be eligible.

The Greater Kansas City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen is in Leawood. It may be able to help with low-cost or free mammograms. Visit komenkansascity.org or call 816-842-0410 for more information.

It can’t replace the thoroughness of actual medical screenings, but regular breast self-exams can help you learn what’s normal for you, so that you’re more aware if something is to become abnormal. That can help you to spot the below warning signs early. Ask your doctor how to do a self-exam, and/or visit breastcancer.org for a step-by-step walkthrough.