Breast Cancer in the U.S.:

• Breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death among non-white women nationwide.
• Breast cancer is the 3rd leading cause of death among white women.
• 31% of the 2006 estimated cancer cases in the United States will be due to breast cancer.
• In 2006, it is estimated that 212,920 U.S. women will develop breast cancer, and 40,970 will die of it.
• Nationwide, the probability of developing breast cancer in a lifetime is 1 in every 7 women.
• 77% of all breast cancer cases are found in women over the age of 50.

Major breast cancer risk factors:

• Women over age 50 Women who mothers or sisters have had breast cancer
• Women who are childless or who start their families after they are 30
• Women who have had cancer in one breast
• Women who are overweight
• Simply being a woman and becoming older increases ones risk, the major prevention for breast cancer is early detection.

 In Mississippi:

• It is estimated that 15,120 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Mississippi in the year 2006. 2,290 will be cases of breast cancer.
• It is estimated that 6,100 cancer deaths will occur in Mississippi during the year 2006.
• About 440 women will die from breast cancer in Mississippi during 2006.