Breast Cancer Rates Are Increasing Among Younger Women, New Study Warns

More women under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with breast cancer.

According to a new study, the breast cancer rate in younger women has steadily increased over the past two decades.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 217,000 women diagnosed with any type of breast cancer from 2000-2019.

They found the rate in women 20-49 years old jumped from 64 to 66 cases per 100,000 people between 2000 and 2016 and then took a steep turn upwards, reaching 74 cases per 100,000 in 2019.

The surge is being driven by an increase in estrogen receptor-positive tumors, which are cancerous growths fueled by estrogen.

The senior author says, “For most women, regular breast cancer screening does not begin until at least age 40, so younger women diagnosed with breast cancer tend to have later-stage tumors, when the disease is more advanced and more difficult to treat.”

He says the next step is to identify the factors behind these rising numbers and find ways to slow or reverse them.