Notes
Intro
Worldwide cancer incidence - 14,090,149 new cases/year
- Predicted by 2030: 23.6 million new cases/year
Cancer Statistics
Incidence statistics:
● 375,000 people in UK - diagnosed with cancer (2018)
○ Males ~193,000
○ Females ~182,000
● 36% of all cancer cases in the UK: people aged 75+ - highest rates occurring in people
aged 85-89 (2018)
● Since the late 1990s: incidence rates for all cancers combined - increased by ~12% in
the UK and over the last decade by 4%
● Breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancers - account for more than a half total cancer
cases (UK, 2018)
Mortality statistics:
● ~167,000 cancer deaths in the UK in 2019
● Cancer causes ¼+ of all deaths in the UK
● Cancer deaths in England are more common in females living in most deprived areas
● ¾+ cancer deaths occur in people >65 years, and ½+ occur in 75+ years
● Lung, bowel, breast and prostate cancers together account for ~45% of all cancer
deaths (UK, 2019)
Breast Cancer: Epidemiology - Statistics
● Breast cancer = most common cancer - 15% of all new cases (UK, 2018)
● 55,900 new cases (UK, 2018)
● 11500 deaths (UK, 2019)
● 76% survive breast cancer for 10+ years (UK, 2018)
● 48% female breast cancer cases - diagnosed in females aged 65+ (UK, 2014)
● increasing incidence → reduced mortality
● More common in developed countries
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer:
Nonmodifiable Modifiable
, Semester 5 Chapter 1 Cell Signalling: "Breast cancer and Glioblastoma Signalling"
Female gender Not having children (slight risk increase)
Age >45 Oral contraceptives (slight risk increase)
Genetic change Depo-Provera (slight risk increase)
Family history Hormone therapy after menopause (risk
increase after 2y of use)
Personal history Breastfeeding (slight risk reduction)
Race and ethnicity (White > African > Asian) Alcohol consumption (risk increase)
Dense breast tissue Obesity (risk increase)
Certain benign breast conditions Physical exercise (risk reduction)
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Menstrual periods (early menarche, late
menopause)
Previous chest radiation
Diethylstilbestrol exposure
Factors under study for increase in breast cancer risk:
● High consumption of soy products
● High consumption of dairy products
● Heavy cigarette smoking
● High exposure to tobacco smoke
● Working a late night shift
● High exposure to electromagnetic fields
● Being a non-identical twin
● High red meat or cured meat consumption
● High consumption of well-done meat
Diagnosis
Clinical: detectable lumps, regular self-exam
Screening (imaging / mammograms): more cases being diagnosed at early stage
Histopathology: fine needle aspiration / needle biopsy / lump excisional biopsy
Breast cancer - the most known cancer