The Likelihood of Developing Breast Cancer In The Average Woman

Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer that women will be diagnosed with. It is estimated that approximately one million wommen worldwide will develop breast cancer with 200,000 - 250,000 cases being diagnosed in the United States. It is also estimated that 40,000 women in the United States will die from it. Even though the incidence or the number of new cases in the United States might seem high, there has been a drop in the number of deaths resulting from breast cancer.

Therefore, the odds of getting breast cancer increases with age, and many of the women diagnosed with breast cancer are older than 40. A commonly mentioned breast cancer statistic is that the average woman has a "1 in 8" chance of developing breast cancer during their lifetime. However, this statistic only takes into account women who live to be at least 90 years of age. The statistical odds that a woman in her 60's will get breast cancer, is only 1 in 26. As you review the statistics being presented, it is important to not become overwhelmed.