February 2011 -- Annual breast cancer incidence rates are expected to grow by 13% over the next decade, with only rates in the US predicted to remain constant, finds independent healthcare analyst, Datamonitor.*
More than 1 million new cases of breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, are diagnosed each year. Whilst survival rates are favourable, Datamonitor predicts that incidence cases will increase by 13% by 2019.
Sabada Dube, Senior Epidemiologist at Datamonitor, comments: “The US is the only major market where breast cancer incidence is predicted to remain constant. This is largely due to the effects of the introduction of widespread mammographic screening earlier than in other markets.
“The 2010 breast cancer screening guidelines issued by the US Preventative Task Force recommend breast cancer screening for women aged 50 years and above. Such a change in policy is likely to result in declines in future incidence rates.”
In comparison, incidence rates in the UK are expected to increase by 20% over the same period. In Japan and Spain, where the highest increases are expected, incidence rates are expected to increase by 24%.
Sabada concludes: “The major risk factors for breast cancer are environmental, hormone-related, and dietary factors. Differences between countries can largely be accounted for by the prevalence of these risk factors. For example, the trends forecast in Japan are likely a result of the Japanese continuing to adopt a more ‘westernised’ lifestyle.”
Notes for editors
* From the report Pipeline Insight: Breast and Gynecological Cancers
Sabada Dube is available for comment.
To arrange an interview or for further details regarding this release please contact Joe Dixonin the Datamonitor press office on + 44 (0)161 238 4083, or email jdixon@datamonitor.com
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