Daijiworld Media Network- New York

New York, Feb 21: A recent study has found a concerning rise in breast cancer cases among women under 40 years of age in the United States. The research, conducted by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, highlights significant regional and racial variations in early-onset breast cancer trends.

Breast cancer accounts for 30% of all new cancer cases in US women, with 1 in 8 women (13%) expected to develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. However, the latest study, which analyzed data from 2001 to 2020, indicates that the incidence among women aged 25-39 is increasing at an alarming rate.

"Breast cancer incidence is rising among young women, but until now, it was unknown if trends varied by region. Our study helps identify geographic differences that may be linked to environmental or lifestyle risk factors," said Dr Rebecca Kehm, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School and the study’s lead author.

The research examined breast cancer incidence rates across different states, metropolitan versus non-metropolitan areas, and racial and ethnic groups, making it the first study to incorporate registry data from all 50 states.

Findings show that breast cancer rates in women under 40 have increased by more than 0.50% per year in 21 states from 2001 to 2020.

• The Northeast region had the highest overall incidence rate.
• The Western region saw the fastest rise in cases.
• The Southern region was the only area where early-onset breast cancer rates did not increase.

Among individual states, Connecticut recorded 41 cases per 100,000 people, while Wyoming had a lower incidence at 28.6 per 100,000. Other states with high early-onset incidence include Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Connecticut.

In terms of racial disparities:

• Non-Hispanic Black women had the highest early-onset breast cancer incidence.
• Non-Hispanic White women were the only racial group to experience a rise in breast cancer cases across all regions.
• Hispanic women had the lowest early-onset rates, ranging from 26 per 100,000 in the Midwest to 32.6 per 100,000 in the Northeast.

The study’s authors emphasized that genetic factors alone cannot explain the increasing incidence of early-onset breast cancer, as genetic changes occur over much longer periods.

They pointed to lifestyle and environmental factors, including alcohol consumption, which varies across states due to differing alcohol policies, as potential contributors to the rising trend.

"The increase in cases is alarming, especially since women under 40 are below the recommended age for routine mammography screening," Dr Kehm noted.

Senior author Professor Mary Beth Terry added that analyzing these trends could help develop future research hypotheses and gain a better understanding of breast cancer incidence among younger women.

The findings call for greater awareness, further research, and potential policy interventions to address the rising burden of breast cancer among younger populations in the United States.