What to know about breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with The American Cancer Society estimating that 321,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2026.

But there’s something even more alarming: Breast cancer is becoming increasingly common in younger women. According to the American Cancer Society‘s most recent cancer statistics report, overall breast cancer incidence rose about 1% per year between 2013 and 2022—but that increase was nearly twice as steep in women under 50 (1.4% per year) as in women 50 and older (0.7% per year). Today, about 1 in 6 breast cancer diagnoses (17%) occur before age 50.

This guide covers what you need to know, including the basics of breast cancer and what could be behind this alarming trend in younger women.

The current state of breast cancer in the U.S.

While a breast cancer diagnosis is always disconcerting, there is some encouraging news: Death rates have been decreasing steadily since 1989, and this type of cancer is one of the more survivable—the five-year survival rates of breast cancer in the U.S. are:

• 92% for all types and stages
• 99% for localized (early-stage)

That impressive survival rate is due to several factors, including increased awareness, earlier detection through screening, and improved treatments.

While breast cancer is often talked about as a women’s health issue—and it is more prevalent in women by far—this cancer can also occur in men. There are approximately 2,670 men diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the U.S., making up about 1% of total breast cancer diagnoses.

Important facts about breast cancer

Before you can fully comprehend the trends in breast cancer diagnoses, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of the disease. Here are a few must-know breast cancer facts to familiarize yourself with.

Types of breast cancer

There are many different types of breast cancers, but they’re generally split into two major categories:

• Invasive: The cancer has spread into the surrounding breast tissue (also called “infiltrating”)
• Non-invasive: The cancer has not spread beyond the breast tissue where it started (also called “precancer”)

There are several types and even subtypes in each of those categories, as that narrow classification helps doctors identify how the cancer develops and how to best treat it.

For example, invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma are two of the most common types of invasive breast cancer, with invasive ductal carcinoma alone making up 70 to 80% of all breast cancers.

Breast cancer risk factors

As The National Breast Cancer Foundation explains, researchers have found several factors that increase a person’s risk of getting breast cancer. Again, these are split into two distinct categories:

• Genetic risk factors: Factors that can’t be changed (e.g., biological sex, age, race, family history, personal health history, genome changes, and dense breast tissue)
• Lifestyle risk factors: Factors that can be avoided, managed, or changed (e.g., poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol intake, or Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy)

Much like with any other type of disease, a healthy lifestyle can minimize a person’s risk of getting breast cancer—but there’s no way to eliminate the risk entirely.

Symptoms of breast cancer

When most people think of breast cancer symptoms, a lump in the breast or armpit is the first one to come to mind. However, different people can experience different symptoms. According to the CDC, in addition to a lump, there are several symptoms to watch for including:

• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin (uneven texture with small, pitted areas)
• Redness or flaky skin on the breast or nipple area
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
• Nipple discharge including blood
• Changes in the size or shape of the breast
• Pain in any areas of the breast

Any one of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily indicate breast cancer. But when you notice one (or especially several) of the above signs, it’s best to contact a healthcare provider to discuss your concerns.

Breast cancer screening guidelines

When it comes to detecting breast cancer, mammograms (low-dose X-rays of the breasts) are the standard screening tool. Major medical groups offer slightly different recommendations for women at average risk, but all emphasize the importance of starting conversation and screening in your 40s:

• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF): Recommends that all average-risk women begin mammograms at age 40 and undergo screening every two years through age 74.
• American Cancer Society (ACS): Suggests women have the option to start annual mammograms between ages 40 and 44, undergo annual mammograms from 45 to 54, and transition to mammograms every two years (or continue annually) at age 55 and older.

Early Risk Assessment (By Age 30)
Because screening generally doesn’t start until age 40, major clinical organizations—including the American College of Radiology—recommend that all women undergo a formal breast cancer risk assessment by age 30. This is especially crucial for Black, Ashkenazi Jewish, and high-risk women, as it helps doctors identify who may need supplemental MRI screening or standard mammograms earlier in life.

Dense Breast Tissue Notifications
Under FDA regulations, mammography facilities are required to notify patients if they have dense breast tissue. Dense tissue is especially common in younger women and can both increase breast cancer risk and make tumors harder to detect on a standard mammogram, often prompting a discussion about supplemental imaging like ultrasounds or MRIs.

Breast Self-Awareness
Some experts encourage women to stay familiar with the look and feel of their breasts to notice changes early. While formal routine self-exams haven’t been shown to definitively reduce breast cancer mortality on their own, being familiar with what is normal for your body helps you report potential symptoms to your provider promptly.

Increase of breast cancer in younger women

The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62. However, as discussed above, diagnoses in women under the age of 50 have been steadily increasing for over a decade now.

Researchers have found that this increase among young women is almost entirely due to an increase in estrogen-receptor positive tumors, which means those breast cancer cells have high levels of estrogen that are helping them grow. There isn’t yet a clear answer as to why this type of cancer is rising dramatically among young women, but it’s an issue that researchers are actively exploring.

It’s a pressing concern for experts and healthcare professionals, as being diagnosed with cancer at a young age negatively impacts the prognosis.

Since most women don’t even begin cancer screening until after the age of 40, cancer cases in younger women are usually more advanced by the time they’re found and, as a result, are more difficult to treat. In fact, women under 40 are nearly 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than women over 40.

How Carrum Cancer Care can help

A cancer diagnosis is life-changing—but Carrum is here to help. We saw a huge need for helping employers connect their members to higher quality, affordable cancer care. That’s why we created our first-of-its-kind value-based cancer care program.

For cancer treatment, we partner with some of the best cancer Centers of Excellence in the nation—Dana-Farber, Memorial Sloan Kettering, City of Hope, Florida Cancer Specialists, and many more—to ensure members can receive high-quality treatment from providers who specialize in their particular cancer type. Every member who comes to Carrum for cancer care is connected with a cancer care navigator. This team helps them understand their benefits, navigate the program, and provides ongoing support throughout their journey.

From confirming a diagnosis and treatment plan to contracting with providers for a range of cancer services (including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and more), Carrum Health helps people access the high-quality care they need. Members receive this care for little to no cost, an incredibly important aspect of the program considering the financial toxicity that exists in cancer care. And, due to our pre-negotiated value-based contracts with our COEs, employers can save money on cancer care while still ensuring their members get the best care out there.

Learn more about Carrum Cancer Care.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. No material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.