The estimated number of new cases of breast cancer for 2025 will be in the 316,000-plus range. The lifetime risk will be approximately a 13 percent chance of cancer being diagnosed in people at some time in their lifetime.  

In 2022, approximately 4,091,181 women were living with breast cancer in the United States.

Equally important is the five-year survival rate, which is dependent on when the tumor is found. For tumors found in a single site and not spread to surrounding lymph nodes (approximately 64 percent), there is close to a 100 percent survival rate.  For tumors that have spread to regional lymph nodes (28 percent), the five-year survival is 87 percent.   

The worst prognosis is for distant metastatic cancer that is found initially.  The best prognosis is based on early isolated lesions found by self-examination, mammography and/or going for annual assessments.

This year also continues the emphasis on breast cancer incidence in U.S. men.  Even though it rare, male breast cancer can happen, and it varies by race and ethnicity.  Black men have the highest breast cancer incidence overall (2.1 new cases per 100,000 men), and Hispanic men have the lowest rate (0.7 new cases per 100,000). The rate for non-Hispanic white men is in the middle at 1.4 new cases per 100,000.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is part of an annual international campaign organized by charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The emphasis in past years has been to promote mammography as an important screening test. 

In 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors.  In 1993, Evelyn Lauder, senior corporate vice president of the Estée Lauder Companies, founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol. 

A variety of events around the world are organized in October, including walks and runs, and the pink illumination of landmark buildings.  One week during October focuses on educating men about breast cancer.   

There is continuing good news about improving the accuracy of screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer: 

Research is being done about the sparing of regional lymph nodes that have been traditionally removed with surgery to minimize post-operative soft tissue swelling. 

Advances in genomic testing can minimize chemotherapy exposure in patients with certain estrogen receptor patterns, helping to minimize the adverse effects of some chemotherapy agents.  For years, many patients received chemotherapy as a part of their breast cancer treatment. In July 2018, a study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine that showed that traditional chemotherapy wouldn’t benefit up to 85 percent of patients over age 50 whose breast cancer was HR+, HER- and had not spread to any lymph nodes.  Many of these patients are now treated exclusively with estrogen blocking agents that have fewer side effects and improved outcomes. 

  A number of genetic mutations—such as BRCA1 and BRCA2—are already known to increase a person’s risk of developing certain cancers, including breast cancer. But now, next-generation gene sequencing techniques are helping researchers identify other hereditary cancer syndromes that can put people at risk. 

There is research on new drug combinations that make estrogen-blocking agents more effective. 

For women or men at risk for breast cancer, it is essential to follow up with your primary care physician or specialist. Early diagnosis is still key to ensuring the best outcome from this type of cancer.