Women and Breast Cancer Breast cancer produces more Pennsylvania female cancer cases than any other type of cancer. It is the second leading cause of overall female cancer death in Pennsylvania.
Breast cancer increases with age.
African American women have lower 5-year breast cancer survival rates than Caucasian women. The Department of Health estimates that about 12,000 Pennsylvanians will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year an average of 33 women a day. Six of these women likely will die. Some risk factors for breast cancer include never being pregnant, history of breast cancer in mother or sister, obesity, high-fat diet, late onset of menopause, and a personal history of fibrocystic disease. Early detection improves survival rates.