Breast
Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos 2006-2008*
New Cases
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among
Hispanic women; an estimated 14,300 Hispanic women are expected
to be diagnosed
in 2006. Some of the factors that increase risk of breast cancer
(age, family history, later age at first full term pregnancy, early
menarche, and late menopause) are not modifiable. Other factors
such as post-menopausal obesity, use post-menopausal hormones,
alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity are potentially modifiable.
The breast cancer incidence rate in Hispanic women is about 40%
lower than that of non-Hispanic white women (table 2). This may
partly result from protective reproductive patterns (lower age
at first birth and larger number of children) and less use of hormone
replacement therapy. It may also reflect under diagnosis due to
lower utilization of mammography.
The
incidence of breast cancer in post menopausal women could be
reduced by maintaining a healthy
body weight. During 1994 to 2003, breast cancer incidence rates
changed very little in Latino women.
Deaths
An estimated 1,740 deaths from breast cancer are expected to
occur among Hispanic women in 2006. Breast cancer is the
leading cause
of cancer death among Hispanic women. The average annual decrease
of 2.2% in the breast cancer death rate from 1994-2003 among
Hispanic women was similar to the decrease seen in non-Hispanic
white women
(2.4 per year).
Stage
Distribution and Survival
Breast cancer is less likely to be diagnosed at the earliest
state in Hispanic women compared to non-Hispanic white women.
For example,
during the period 2000-2003, 54% of breast cancers among Hispanic
women were diagnosed at the local stage, compared to 63% of
cases among non-Hispanic white women. Hispanic women are also
more
likely to be diagnosed with larger breast tumors than non-Hispanic
white
women. Differences in mammography utilization and delayed follow-up
of abnormal screening results may contribute to this difference.
Hispanic women are about 20% more likely to die of breast cancer
than non-Hispanic white women diagnosed at similar age and
stage.
*American
Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2006-2008.
Atlanta: American Cancer Society, Inc.
