62 - Breast cancer

Summary

Breast cancer is a sub-category of all cancers (see Map 7). Breast cancer accounts for 9% of all cancer deaths. It is the most common specific cause of death of women between ages 30 and 54.

See also Map 53 Cervical cancer, Map 59 Ovarian cancer and Map 76 Other uterine cancer.

For females, the north of England and east of Scotland tend to have lower rates than the remainder of Britain. There is little apparent geographical pattern to male breast cancer (which is much rarer).

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK and will affect one in nine women in their lifetime. Risk factors include age (higher age leading to higher risk), early age at menarche, late age at first birth, a lower number of (or no) full-term pregnancies, short duration of (or no) breast-feeding and late age at menopause. The oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy have also been linked to breast cancer. A family history of breast cancer increases a woman’s chances of having the disease herself. Being overweight or obese is one of the few modifiable risk factors; physical activity can have a protective effect.

Unlike many other cancers, breast cancer has a higher incidence in higher social classes. This is likely to reflect reproductive history and early life nutrition. However, survival rates are better for the higher social classes. The key to successful treatment of breast cancer is early diagnosis.

Approximately 1% of breast cancer deaths are of males. These are most likely to occur in males over the age of 60; men with several close family members who have had breast cancer are at a higher risk themselves. Only females are shown on the age–sex bar chart.

The first wife of Beatle Paul McCartney, photographer Linda McCartney, and amateur athlete and charity fundraiser Jane Tomlinson died of breast cancer.